Letters From Post and Courier Readers

Published by The Post and Courier on April 26, 2026

SNAP vital 

Rising costs for rent, food and gasoline are making it even more difficult for our neighbors to put meals on the table. Last summer’s budget reconciliation law (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) included significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. As the U.S. House prepares to vote on the federal farm bill, it’s important to reiterate how vital SNAP is across our community.

Moving forward without strengthening SNAP would make it harder for many households to meet basic needs. Thousands of South Carolinians — children, veterans, older adults and people with disabilities — could lose further access to SNAP benefits this year through tighter restrictions, putting their health and stability at higher risk. Later this year, states will be required to pay a larger share of SNAP program costs.

Food banks cannot fill this gap: For every meal we provide, SNAP delivers nine. More than 500,000 South Carolinians — about 1 in 10, with nearly half of them being children — rely on SNAP. Beyond reducing hunger, the program helps lower childhood poverty, supports better health and academic outcomes and strengthens local economies. Each SNAP dollar generates up to $1.80 in economic activity, benefiting grocers, farmers and workers.

Food banks are meant to supplement SNAP, not replace it. When benefits shrink, demand for emergency food rises sharply, stretching limited resources. Join me in raising awareness that SNAP remains one of the most effective tools we have to reduce hunger and provide support to communities. Ensuring strong access to nutrition assistance helps families stay healthy and allows local nonprofits such as ours to focus on meeting temporary needs more effectively.

NICK OSBORNE

President and CEO, Lowcountry Food Bank

North Charleston