SNAP Benefits Reduced, Oklahoma Families Struggle

Families in need of food are getting less help from the government this year. 

The SNAP benefits that were increased during the pandemic have gone back to earlier levels. 

Calvin Moore is the president and CEO of the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and he said that SNAP benefits help feed more than 800,000 families in Oklahoma.  

Moore says when the extra money provided by the federal government during the pandemic dried up, many families needed the food bank more than ever. 

"We saw a lot of families, particularly in Oklahoma who are used to getting those allotments having to make some really hard choices around food," Moore said. 

The state lost about $50 million of additional support when the extra allotments ended, leaving some families unprepared. 

"When the emergency allotments ended it represented what we call a food cliff and many families were not prepared for the abrupt stop in benefits,” Moore said.  

Moore says the average family lost about $238 each month, with some larger families losing more than $600. Volunteers started organizing food drives specifically for SNAP users. Those special drives ended last week and now, the food bank will rely on community partners more than ever. 

"What we want to do at the food bank is really empower our partners, get more resources out there, increase their capacity and their capabilities to deliver more food so that they can help those families in need," Moore said.