SNAP cuts could lead to more struggles for Mid-South Food Bank

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Proposed cuts to SNAP funding could leave tens of thousands of Mid-South families struggling to put food on the table. Meanwhile, the biggest food bank in the region is bracing for a body blow in a three-punch combination. 

First, the Trump Administration withdrew U.S. Department of Agriculture funding. Secondly, the food bank was cut off from federal farm surplus deliveries. Now, proposed cuts to SNAP would drive up the need for food in the region, straining the food bank’s resources even more. 

The Mid-South Food Bank delivers to needy people directly and to smaller food pantries in 31 counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. It’s preparing for increased demand that could come from slashed SNAP funding in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Reginald Alexander, Director of Government Relations for the Mid-South Food Bank, said he’s seen the Senate’s version of the bill just released. It’s already passed through the U.S. House. 

“Well, it’s going to mirror a lot of what’s in the House bill, but from my understanding, it’s probably about some $70-odd billion less in cuts, which anything less is good,” Alexander said. 

The USDA reports there are nearly 695,000 people in Tennessee enrolled in the SNAP program, roughly one in ten across the state. In Mississippi, that number is more than 363,000. Arkansas checks in with nearly 240,000. 

In Shelby County alone, nearly 150,000 people get SNAP benefits. That’s about one in every six people. Alexander said the food bank is bracing for less direct funding, while states are faced with fewer dollars to manage the SNAP program. 

“Well, previously the administrative cost was split between the federal government and the state 50/50. This would cause the split to change to 75 percent for the state and 25 percent for the government,” Alexander said. 

FOX13 heard back from Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn about the possible cuts to social programs. In a statement sent to FOX13, Senator Blackburn said, “We are rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, and we are removing the ability of fraudsters, freeloaders, and illegal immigrants to access benefits and services that should be reserved for American citizens. We are going to make Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and SNAP stronger and healthier than these programs have ever been, and this is what Tennesseans have wanted to see done for years.”