NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – Nebraska Legislative Bill 656, introduced by Senator Bob Andersen, proposes significant changes to the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements.
Brian Barks, president and CEO of Food Bank for the Heartland, said they are fighting against LB656 and similar measures, arguing the changes would increase hunger and reduce access to food assistance.
“For every meal that our food bank can distribute, SNAP can distribute nine. It is much more efficient for us to put dollars on an EBT card for someone here in North Platte as opposed to putting food on a truck in Omaha and driving it four hours to the community,” Barks said.
Other Nebraska lawmakers have also expressed concerns that the bill unfairly targets low-income individuals and perpetuates negative stereotypes.
Michelle O’Dea, manager of the North Platte Catholic Community Food Pantry, believes stronger SNAP benefits would help food pantries better support their communities.
“I want to learn more about SNAP and hopefully help people to get on SNAP. What we see a lot of is that they run out of benefits about halfway throughout the month. So we might be a little quieter the first two weeks and then the last two weeks, we get slammed. If there’s a way to even that out a little bit, that would be awesome,” O’Dea said.
Barks also addressed misconceptions about SNAP recipients, emphasizing that most do not rely on the program long-term.
“SNAP allows the user to be able to go into the grocery store and shop for the items that they want and that they need. It is the most efficient way to move food. SNAP is temporary help for individuals — it is not a way of life,” he said.
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