Across the country, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — the federal program that helps millions of Americans afford food — is in danger of interruption due to federal budget disputes. As the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) warns, “millions of families are just days away from losing the food assistance they rely on to survive.” (Read the Full JFNA Press Release Here) 

Across the U.S., almost one in three Holocaust survivors lives in poverty and relies on federal nutrition support to get by. More broadly, nearly one in five Jewish households struggles to make ends meet. Without SNAP, many families and individuals already on the edge could be pushed into a real crisis.

This is not an abstract policy issue. It directly impacts members of our Jewish community, including older adults on fixed incomes, Holocaust survivors, and families who quietly rely on food support to make ends meet.

When federal programs like SNAP are threatened, the burden shifts to local safety nets, including community organizations who may not have the funds or materials available to provide support. 

Jewish tradition teaches that food is foundational to health, community, and spiritual life. The Torah commands us to “leave the corners of our fields for the poor and the stranger” — a call to create systems that ensure everyone can eat with dignity.

Through a trauma-informed and intergenerational lens, we understand that food insecurity can trigger stress, shame, and disconnection. Supporting programs like SNAP, and ensuring local access to food, becomes an act of tzedek (justice) and chesed (compassion) — part of how we build collective wellness.

What we can do together

• Stay Informed – Read the JFNA statement and understand the potential local impacts.
• Support Our Neighbors – Explore local food banks like Hope Center, Wesley, and Daily Soup Kitchen, and consider supporting them through volunteer work or donations.
• Reduce Stigma – Encourage open, compassionate conversations about financial stress and food insecurity.
• Advocate – Contact elected officials to protect SNAP and related safety-net programs.
• Act from Our Values – Let our response reflect kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh — our shared responsibility for one another.

When one strand of the safety net weakens, we all feel it.

By standing together — strengthening SNAP, supporting our food programs, and caring for one another — we live out our Jewish values of compassion and justice.

Everyone in our community deserves nourishment, security, and the simple dignity of being cared for.