Michigan Families for Fair Care Hosts Community Food Drives in Lansing and Clinton Township as SNAP Cuts Hit Working Families
Michigan Families for Fair Care hosted community food drives on Monday in both Lansing and Clinton Township, partnering with Punks With Lunch Lansing and Feeding Michigan to provide direct support to families struggling under the weight of rising costs and sweeping cuts to food assistance. The drives brought together dozens of community members across Michigan’s 7th and 10th Congressional Districts to donate and distribute non-perishable food items at a time when working families need help most.
The events come as the impact of the Republican Tax Law’s historic cuts to SNAP, the largest in the program’s history, are being felt across the country. The cuts have stripped protections from veterans, adults experiencing homelessness, and parents. Michigan food banks are already reporting an increase in demand compared to last year, and with the state set to absorb an estimated nearly $100 million in new SNAP costs starting later this year, the pressure on working families is only growing.
“Michigan Families for Fair Care teamed up with our local community organizations to deliver for constituents who have been thrust into the deep end without anywhere else to turn. SNAP cuts from the Republican Tax Law kicked into full gear this month, and now thousands of families in our state will not know where their next meal is going to come from.” said Steve Lawson, Michigan Families for Fair Care executive director. “Congressman John James, and Tom Barrett won’t show their face at any of our food drives because they know their votes to cut nutritional programs for tax cuts for the wealthy are the reason to blame for all this suffering. We urge our members of Congress to roll back those tax cuts so hungry families won’t have to worry about how to survive the coming months.”
Both Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) and Congressman John James (MI-10) voted for the Republican Tax Law that enacted these cuts, prioritizing needless tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy over nutrition assistance for working families. Their support for tariffs has further driven up costs for Michigan households, leaving families to choose between groceries and other basic necessities. Rather than fighting to protect food assistance for their constituents, both congressmen have backed policies that have made it harder for families to put food on the table.
“When we have organizations and community members and neighbors step in to let people know that they are not going to be left behind. That they are not going to go hungry or forgotten, I think that even beyond a full stomach it really does give this outlook on hope. “ said Kelsea, executive director of Punks with Lunch.
“Today we are here with Michigan Families for Fair Care doing and food and winter clothes drive to help the constituents in [Michigan congressional] district 10 where John James is not showing up to help his constituents. The Republican Tax bill has caused a lot of hardship on families in district 10 and we are stepping up to meet [their] needs.” said Steffy, executive director of Feeding Michigan.
Throughout the day, volunteers across both districts collected and distributed hundreds of dollars worth of donations to ensure neighbors had access to food during a time of growing economic pressure. The food drives reflected a community-wide effort to step up where elected officials have fallen short. Michigan Families for Fair Care continues to educate residents about the economic impact of policies supported by Congressmen Barrett and James and the importance of protecting programs that working families depend on.
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Read the WBTV piece HERE
