A significant number of New Yorkers will feel the effects of food stamp cuts later this year when the new farm bill goes into effect.
The bill, which ended a two-year battle between the president and some members of Congress, includes an $ 8 billion reduction in the food stamp program that’s formally known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
SNAP provides money to low-income families to buy food.
People shopping at a Bronx food pantry known as Part of The Solution, or POTS, say they’re already vulnerable, and the cuts could put them in dire straits.
“I have three siblings, two boys and one girl, and my dad works really hard to buy the stuff that we want. So when my mom doesn’t have money she comes here so we could have food to eat,” said one young New Yorker.
“Even if you’re employed, most people still not making living wage, so it’s going to be tough for anybody who’s not making a substantial amount, to put food on the table, so programs like this are very beneficial,” said another.
The people who run POTS say the cuts will also increase the burden on food pantry programs that are already under pressure with increased demand.
For more information you can visit www.potsbronx.org.
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via Great Local News: New York http://ift.tt/1iZiLP1
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