Federal funding for food banks is being cut, and Congress is considering deep reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), potentially forcing states to pick up the tab. The USDA pulled back $1 billion in funding this year, impacting food banks and school meal programs nationwide. What worries Haynes even more is what could happen if SNAP benefits are cut next. “When SNAP benefits were reduced in 2023, we saw a huge spike in need,” Deb Haynes Executive Director of Food For Others, said. “If they’re cut again as is currently being debated in Congress and the program is massively changed, we’re probably looking at a 15 to 30 percent increase in demand.” Experts warn the combined cuts could stretch food banks to the breaking point. “I’ll be honest, there are probably other consequences that may come out of this, such as increases in crime if people feel desperate enough to find money for food,” Leighton Ku, professor of health policy at George Washington University, said.