By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Millions of people lost their food stamps after President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” took effect, according to a new analysis.
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Arizona is among the states with the highest drop-off in the country. The state saw 449,478 people on SNAP benefits, a 51.3% decline year over year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Nationally, 3.5 million people remained on SNAP, a 9% decline between July and February.
St. Mary’s Food Bank is seeing a 15% increase in demand. The food bank’s CEO said high rent, food and gas prices, along with the new SNAP requirements, have created this demand in Arizona, including families coming to the food bank that have never been there before.
“We had someone come to us last week who had never been with us, and he said, I hate being in line. I never thought I’d be in line, but I’m so glad that St. Mary’s is there to help me out,” said Milt Liu, CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank. “And so, that’s what we’re seeing. We’re seeing more and more families who are having a difficult time bridging to the end of the month, and they come to us to make sure that they have enough food for their families.”
According to the Congressional Budget Office, $187 billion was cut from the SNAP program through 2034. Under the new law, states are required to help pay up to 15% of SNAP benefit costs. Before, it was all on the federal government to cover the cost.
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Food banks are asking for time or food donations to continue helping the Valley. www.stmarysfoodbank.org/.
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