When SNAP Funding Is at Risk, Our Values Are on Display

When talking policy dollars and data, the problems the policy is meant to address can become abstractions of reality. The government shut down and the resulting reduction of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to millions of Americans paint a clear picture of who we are as a country–if you didn’t already know. And, I want to compel you to Do Something With M.E. 

Not only are these government actions showing who the country is, it’s worse; it is really showing who we are willing to be. SNAP funding supports about 42 million Americans. Louisiana, along with New Mexico, leads the states with the highest SNAP participation. In Louisiana alone, we have more than 800,000 residents who rely on SNAP for meals. And, a further breakdown of those numbers show, that more than half of those SNAP recipients are children and elders over the age of 60. 

When I consider these numbers, I have to be honest: it causes me to pause and reflect deeply on our nation’s priorities. We are at a place where we are taking food from children and elders instead of looking at a number of other options to solve our budget problems. The truth is painful—we allow the most vulnerable people in our communities to go hungry, despite having the resources to prevent it. That is not a budget problem. That is a poverty of compassion, brotherly/sisterly love, and empathy.

Misplaced Priorities, Real Human Consequences

Although the SNAP benefits will not shut down as had been expected, they are being reduced, and families across our state are wondering how they will make do on reduced benefits when it was already tight for them before the reduction. Children, parents, seniors—people who depend on SNAP to bridge the gap—are left in uncertainty. At the same time, we are also watching news from our flagship public university about buying out a football coach's contract to the tune of $54 million. This is not about political talking points.

I know the contract buyout is not funded by state funds, yet the disparity that exists is a heartbreaking contradiction of how we problem-solve and of what seemingly is and is not important. It is about choices—choices often being made by people who have never lived close to poverty, never had to ration food, never had to wonder how far the last $20 can stretch. When leaders lack lived experience, the policies they create can lack humanity.  To be clear, choices are a reflection of what someone values.

What Can We Do? Stay Curious, Stay Awake, Stay Involved

The first step, as I’ve said many times, is to remain curious. Understand what is happening, why, and who is making the decisions.
But curiosity is only the beginning. Here’s what meaningful action looks like:

1. Call Your Members of Congress

Tell them clearly why SNAP matters for Louisiana families—maybe even your own family, your neighbors, your coworkers. Your voice matters far more than you may believe. If you don’t know, you can find your congressional member here on the congress.gov website using your home address. 

2. Support Local Organizations Meeting the Need

When federal aid is threatened, local organizations become the first responders. Support the groups feeding families, unhoused residents, and seniors. Check your local papers and news outlets or social media accounts that report what’s happening locally and how you can support. For example, maybe a local church or civic organization is hosting a weekend meal programs that help children—and their parents—make it through Saturday and Sunday. Local community organizations are often safety nets that catch the people when our government systems fail them. 

3. Spread the Word

Awareness is action. The more you know, understand, and are involved in building solutions to our local community problems, the more you should spread the word–tell your family.  Tell your friends. Tell your faith community. Tell your coworkers. The more informed we are, the harder it is to ignore.

This Is Civic Responsibility

Some people ask, “What does SNAP have to do with elections?” My answer is simple: everything. Policy choices come from the people we elect. When we vote, we are choosing our team. After the election, we must pay attention to how that team responds when our most vulnerable residents need them most.

We’ve seen members of our Louisiana delegation step up during difficult times—like Congressman Troy Carter providing meals for unpaid TSA workers during federal shutdowns. And we’ve seen others remain silent when it mattered most. That is why we must watch. We must engage. We must hold them accountable. 

Hunger Is a Health Issue

Food insecurity is not just an economic issue—it is a major public health issue. When families cannot eat, children cannot learn, parents cannot work, and communities cannot thrive.

If we want healthier cities, healthier families, and healthier futures, we must treat hunger as the crisis it is—and demand that our leaders do the same.

SNAP funding is more than a policy. It is a moral statement. And right now, our country must square the values we espouse and the policy actions we support.