SNAP- Supplemental Nutrition first person heartfelt experience from a Maine legislator- Such a worthwhile benefit especially for children

Social media post written by Maine State Representative Michele Meyer, R.N. "We were a low income family of 3,...."

38 years ago, I was a struggling, divorced Mom, attending college full time in pursuit of a nursing degree.

I did my best to stretch a dollar, lived frugally, worked hard, always with my eyes focused on my two very much loved children and on better days to come : a career as a Registered Nurse.

We were a low income family of 3, living well below the federal poverty line. I qualified for what was then known as the Food Stamp Progam, now known as SNAP ( Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). We also visited the tiny food pantry in town.

That’s how I fed my kids. It was hard. But absolutely necessary. I did what I had to for my children.

Today, the Trump Administration informed every state that SNAP benefits will not be issued for November.

Nationwide, approximately 42 million individuals receive SNAP benefits, including 169,812 in Maine.
In total, nearly 12.5 percent of Maine's population receive SNAP benefits, with several counties -- Androscoggin, Aroostook, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington -- approaching or surpassing 20 percent of their populations.

Nearly 75% of Maine's SNAP households include at least one working adult, more than half include a person with a disability, 43% include an older adult, and over one-third include children. The average monthly SNAP benefit for a family of four in Maine is $572.

There are families in your community, older folks, disabled people, vets, struggling neighbors, perhaps someone you love who will recieve this news today. Their hearts will sink and they will be frightened. I know.😨😦😦😦😧😰
https://tinyurl.com/TrumpCutsSNAP