10/28/2025
Since January, we've seen a 34% increase in new households seeking our services. Now that the government plans to stop food aid beginning November 1, many of our neighbors are downright terrified. In between that and the upcoming expiration of ACA healthcare tax credits, it is a very uncertain time.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an important lifeline for those with low incomes. The majority of recipients are children and youth. Contrary to what some say, there is a work requirement to receive SNAP and the program is not available to undocumented immigrants.
Every $1 invested in SNAP generates $1.50 to $1.80 in the local economy. Freezing SNAP will not only hurt hard-working families, it will also hurt our local businesses. In real dollars, that will equal over $500,000 per month in lost revenue. Many of our neighbors work at the very places that will be negatively impacted by the removal of SNAP.
Our hope is that our government will restore these important benefits. But in the face of the shutdown and political stalemate, we have to do what we can as a community to ensure families don't go hungry. We are one of several organizations that provide critical services to our neighbors with low incomes. We hope you will consider donating non-perishable food items or making an online gift.
In our nearly 45 years of service to Transylvania County we've seen some hard times. We've also seen how neighbors work together to help each other. Our faith communities, nonprofits, schools, and businesses have tirelessly met the gap and will continue to do so. The one good thing in all of this is: we are here for each other.
