‘There isn’t a quick fix to hunger.’ Centre County food assistance programs prepare for SNAP cuts
Some food stamp recipients could face tighter work requirements — a change that would eliminate Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits for 90,000 Pennsylvanians. While some say the new rule restores SNAP to its original intent, anti-hunger advocates are preparing to fill an increased need for food assistance in Centre County.
Under the direction of President Donald Trump, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced in December a final rule to move more recipients of SNAP toward “self-sufficiency and into employment.” The rule makes it harder for states to waive a requirement that able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49 without children work a minimum of 20 hours per week or else lose their benefits.
The USDA said the rule restores SNAP to what Congress intended the program to be — “assistance through difficult times, not a way of life.”
Adults who receive SNAP are already limited by statutes that allow recipients three months of benefits over a three-year period unless they meet the 20 hours per week requirement. When unemployment rates are high, states are able to request that stipulation be waived but the most recent proposal makes those waivers harder to get.
“In an economy with more than 7 million job openings, we must do everything we can to help able-bodied adults without dependents find work, job training or volunteer opportunities that develop marketable skills,” U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard Township, said in a statement. “The rule compliments opportunities for skills-based education, which I have championed, while preserving good-cause waivers when necessary.”
The provisions of the new rule are anticipated to start April 1.
According to data collected by Feeding America — a hunger relief organization — Centre County has 20,940 food insecure people and a 13% food insecurity rate. With the rule, local food assistance programs are anticipating to see an increase in those numbers.
“These people may be receiving SNAP benefits currently, but a percentage of them would no longer receive (benefits) under the new ruling,” said Moshannon Valley YMCA Director Mel Curtis, who oversees the YMCA’s Travelin’ Table, summer lunch and backpack programs for children in need. “The end result will most likely create a higher demand on services within the county and a larger draw on organizations providing food and meals.”
The change does not apply to children, parents, those over 50 years old — including the elderly, those with a disability or pregnant women, but Allayn Beck, State College Food Bank manager, said people who don’t meet the 20-hour requirement will “definitely” need to replace their benefits in some way.
“For us at this point, we’re not quite sure what that number is going to look like, so we’re just preparing, and we’re going to be here to help,” she said. “I think if people are feeling at a place where they need help, it’s worth calling.”
The food bank — located at 3121 S. Atherton St. — distributes groceries to households in need once every 30 days for a maximum of 12 visits each year. Distributions include vegetables, fruit, proteins, grains and milk. The Free Shelves program — which operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m.-noon — gives an opportunity for residents to take free items that are put on shelves in the food bank’s front lobby. Usually, products consist of produce, past-date bread, bakery items and canned goods.
While local food banks and nonprofits are preparing for increased need, Curtis isn’t sure the cuts will motivate people to work. He added that he thinks the rule is a “quick fix” to food insecurity.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix to hunger. It didn’t happen overnight, and it’s not going to be solved overnight,” Curtis said. “Much like homelessness, what causes hunger is underemployment, stagnant wages and the rising cost of living. You have families and individuals today that don’t qualify for federal nutrition programs, and they rely on our local food banks and nonprofit organizations for food.”
The YMCA offers a variety of food assistance programs, and Curtis said he and staff will “try to be ready” to help whoever is in need when the changes take effect in the spring.
“With this new ruling, the potential to add more for these services will rise,” he said. “There needs to be a plan in place to give those people being denied SNAP benefits. We need to change the culture to make it better for all. We need to better educate the general public on hunger or food insecurity.”
