URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Food security advocates in Champaign County are concerned about the impacts of recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. On Monday, the first of about $300 billion was stripped from the program after the “Big, Beautiful Bill” was passed in July.

Champaign County Health Care Consumer’s Adani Sanchez said there’s a chance the lack of funding could get picked up by the states, and, right now, the program is still working off last year’s money.

“All of the money that that’s on the [LINK] cards, that’s federal government funding,” Sanchez said. “And so, the states are going to have to decide, ‘Are we willing to try to cover what that gap is?’”
Cuts to SNAP started Monday, and it may take time to trickle down to those affected by food insecurity in Central Illinois.
“Proposed SNAP cuts that will be going into effect will continue to strain resources that are already strained in our community,” Sophie Ellis with the Eastern Illinois Foodbank said. “So, it will be difficult for the budgets of local families.”
Ellis said the beginning of cuts coincides with Hunger Action Month. It’s a chance to raise awareness of how hunger remains a constant worry for some in the area.
“Our pantries are actually serving twice as many people today as in 2022,” Ellis said. “So that need just continues to rise and food costs keep going up, and we see local families needing more of our assistance.”

Sanchez said the money will have to come from somewhere to keep SNAP benefits where they are right now — whether that be cutting jobs, or moving money from other departments, is yet to be seen.
“For some organizations, there’s not an easy way to redirect money that’s already been dedicated,” Sanchez said. “Or it’s like or sometimes it’s also tied to federal funds where it’s like, if you use this for anything else, you’re out.”
Republican lawmakers said the cuts are necessary to ease government spending, and end fraud and abuse in the system.

But last week, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced a bill to nullify cuts to SNAP.
He said more than 500,000 Illinoisans are at risk of losing benefits.
“Snap has literally saved people’s lives,” Sanchez said, “And made our communities better, safer, stronger.”

Ellis said they are confident the community will continue to donate so others have a reliable source of food. Their annual “Operation Orange” is  Sept. 18, when volunteers will be re-packing food to be handed out.