With the signing of the budget reconciliation bill last week, the U.S. government has passed once in a generation cuts to CalFresh/SNAP and Medicaid. This decision is heartbreaking, and deeply concerning for the communities we serve.
These programs are lifelines for families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities in our community. CalFresh is incredibly effective at fighting hunger, while driving millions of dollars in local economic impact each year.
As these cuts come into effect over the next several years, neighbors who are already doing everything they can to make ends meet will lose access to at least 6 billion meals, as well as essential medical care. To put that in perspective, our entire nationwide network of food banks and their partners provide 6 billion meals a year.
While some of the most devastating cuts to CalFresh/SNAP and Medicaid will not be felt until 2027 or later, others will begin to impact our community in the next few months. We anticipate that we will see the greatest demand for food in our 50-year history. The challenge ahead of all of us is real.
We continue to work closely with Feeding America, the California Association of Food Banks and our local elected representatives to find ways to support the neighbors who will be impacted by this bill, and to advocate for the resources we need to continue providing nutritious food to our neighbors in need.
Though the situation is daunting, our Food Bank firmly believes that everyone has a right to food and that a hunger-free future is possible. We remain committed to ending hunger in our community, and ensuring that everyone in Contra Costa and Solano Counties can rely on the Food Bank to be there for them when they need it most.
Caitlin Sly,
President and CEO
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano
