A dangerous time for a cut in nutrition

The Federal Government announced a $3 Bbllion dollar cut from monthly Calfresh benefits (food stamps) as of March 1st.

Things are about to get so much harder on communities, including ours.

Pick a population, and we are all impacted.

Seniors: We all know someone that will be hungry if they aren’t already. Fixed incomes challenge access to regular nutrition.

People with disabilities and chronic illness: Without adequate nutrition, their bodies fail to heal properly and are prone to infections that can cut their life short.

Students: Students struggle to concentrate on studies and their future with empty stomachs. My college student is near starving now as she struggles financially — no joke.

Families: Parents worry about how to provide for their growing babies. I have loved ones that fit this demographic too. Parents sacrifice to put their children first, but even then it’s not always enough, depending on Calfresh.

Malnutrition stunts growth, reduces brain capacity, and forces children to grow under chronic stress and fatigue. It changes who they could have become, making them susceptible to illness, future poverty, incarceration, victims of abuse, increased risk of substance abuse, lower paying jobs as they get older, homelessness, and high school dropout occurrences.

It will take a village to navigate hard times ahead. Our community cares for each other, with the have-little often sharing with the have-nots. Unbelievably, our city council denied discussion to allow for a simple community fridge where people starving to neardeath can find something safe and nutritious to eat.