As Republicans prepare to cut SNAP funding for millions of Americans in their upcoming budget bill, Americans are already reeling from Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s reckless DOGE cuts that have jeopardized state-based anti-hunger programs, yanking away millions in funding without warning. Make no mistake: Trump and Republicans would rather enrich themselves and their billionaire buddies than ensure hardworking families can put food on the table.  

Take a look at the devastating impact of Trump and Republicans’ cuts so far: 

San Antonio Current: As GOP looks to cut food stamps, Trump has already slashed $11 million in food aid for Texans

[Sanford Nowlin, 5/15/25]

“As Republicans consider slashing food benefits to help pay for President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts — a move that would affect 3.2 million Texans — a recent White House cut that’s received less media attention has already yanked $11 million in food aid from hungry Lone Star State residents. …

“The San Antonio Food Bank was expected to receive about $3.1 million of that total, according to Michael Guerra, the nonprofit’s chief philanthropy officer. On top of the lost funding, the USDA’s move deprived the Food Bank of 31 tractor trailer-loads of food from area farmers. …

“Guerra also worries the budget cuts now under consideration by the Republican-controlled Congress would be a second blow for needy Texas families, especially if they shift funds away from the Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps.

“‘If there are significant cuts to SNAP, there could be a pandemic-like effect for us in terms of need,’ Guerra said. ‘For it to come right before our highest time of need makes it tough.’ …

“‘Donald Trump and Elon Musk have already ripped food away from vulnerable Texans — including children and the elderly. Now, Trump and Republicans are pushing a budget that would cut food and nutrition programs by billions of dollars just to gift more tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy,’ Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in an emailed statement.

‘Martin further attacked the Republicans for considering cuts to food assistance as the Trump White House’s tariffs raise grocery prices and contribute to a slowing economy.

“‘As Texans brace for a Trump-made recession, Republicans are taking a sledge hammer to the programs that keep working families afloat during tough economic times,’ he added.”

Alabama Political Reporter: Opinion | Let them eat … nothing

[Josh Moon, 5/8/25]

“Thanks to Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE efforts, which ran roughshod through the nation’s various agencies, cutting and halting programs regardless of their performances, a number of food assistance programs were axed. Among those were the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which allocated more than $7 million to Alabama this year. The USDA did not disburse some of those funds after the DOGE cuts. 

“The result: Entities like the Heart of Alabama Food Bank lost substantial funding (it lost more than $600,000) and 23 truck loads of food were canceled without notice. 

“‘Donald Trump and Elon Musk have already ripped food away from vulnerable Alabamians – including children and the elderly,’ said DNC Chairman Ken Martin. ‘Now, Trump and Republicans are pushing a budget that would cut food and nutrition programs by billions of dollars just to gift more tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. 

“‘As grocery costs skyrocket and shelves are left empty, Trump is making it harder for Alabama families to put a warm meal on the table. As Alabamians brace for a Trump-made recession, Republicans are taking a sledge hammer to the programs that keep working families afloat during tough economic times.’ 

“There is no hyperbole in Martin’s statement. 

“The USDA cuts are necessary to achieve the savings needed for the Trump administration’s goal of doling out more major tax breaks to the nation’s wealthiest citizens and again rolling back the corporate tax rate. 

“In Alabama alone, some 750,000 people depend on SNAP for food. They are our state’s poorest, neediest citizens. 

“Surely there is a lesson written in a book somewhere that would tell us to care for these people first, and also something about a rich man, a camel and a needle.”

The Olympian: Some WA food bank clients getting less as providers stretch supply to cope with cuts

[Simone Carter, 5/12/25]

“In March, the Trump administration slashed or paused a combined $1 billion from two programs upon which food banks in Washington and other states depend. At the same time, federal employees are being laid off at an unprecedented pace. …

“Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin took aim at Trump in an email to McClatchy. He contends that the President and GOP U.S. lawmakers are pursuing a budget that would chop billions of dollars from nutrition and food programs so that they can give more tax breaks to the ultra-rich. 

“‘As grocery costs skyrocket and shelves are left empty, Trump is making it harder for Washington families to put a warm meal on the table,’ Martin said. ‘As Washingtonians brace for a Trump-made recession, Republicans are taking a sledge hammer to the programs that keep working families afloat during tough economic times.’ …

“Visits to food banks in Washington since 2021 are up by about 60% on average, noted Mike Cohen, executive director of the Bellingham Food Bank. In Whatcom County, they’ve risen by more than 120% since that year.

“In Cohen’s view, the federal cuts — administered quickly and without real notice — display a disregard for the community’s public health. …

“Whatcom County had planned for about $180,000 in LFPA funding this year that was suddenly yanked, he said. That money could have purchased roughly 150,000 pounds of local fruits and vegetables — a loss also felt by the local farmers growing the crops: ‘That was some guaranteed sales that they lost overnight.’

“Most who depend on food banks for sustenance are either kids or senior citizens, he said. …

“Sue Potter, CEO of Pierce County’s Nourish food bank network, said the gap left by federal cuts will be hard to fill with local fundraising alone. …

“The loss of funding will mean that food bank guests will have fewer options for protein and dairy products, as well as other key ingredients, she said.”