SNAP cuts in Trump's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act' on budget, taxes could drive up demand at Chicago-area food banks
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — The GOP mega-bill could have a big impact on the work of local food pantries.

The “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” includes $300 billion in cuts to SNAP benefits over the next decade.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

That could create a higher demand for help at area food banks that are already struggling.

Food pantries report that the demand for their assistance is as high as ever. For instance, a pantry located in West Garfield Park distributed nearly 2 million pounds of food last year, and they expect to exceed that amount by 2025.

“I’ve worked all my life, but since I fell ill and had to rely on Social Security, it’s been hard to cover my expenses. Programs like this are a big help,” stated Red Reid, who volunteers at and utilizes the services of Above and Beyond Food Pantry on Pulaski Road.

Reid is one of the 57,000 people who walked through the pantry in 2024.

“The line outside is long and remains so throughout the day, every day. Any reduction in benefits will only make the line longer, and that’s a simple fact,” said Ken Cozzi, the executive director of Above and Beyond Food Pantry.

Cozzi says, in the first quarter of 2025, his pantry has seen a 14% increase in people coming through his doors in need of food.

According to a preliminary analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, new Republican-proposed legislation would tighten eligibility requirements for SNAP. Adults ages 55-64 would face additional work requirements to qualify.

“I don’t want to even try to guess how they came up with these numbers. They are non-sensical to us, though. We can’t imagine that anyone in those groups are going to be able to continue to put food on the table for their families,” Greater Chicago Food Depository spokesperson Man-Yee Lee said.

In all, the same early analysis projects more than $200 billion in cuts to SNAP over 10 years.

Lee said the impacts of SNAP go far beyond individual people and families.

“For every dollar that is spent through SNAP, actually generates $1.50 for the economy and local communities. So, when businesses are thriving, so are our communities, and so are the residents in it,” Lee said.

And with the possibility of cuts to programs like SNAP, people like Reid are left wondering what they’ll do.

“It means we have to turn to other ways of getting food. And, for those that struggled all our life to take care of family, it would really be hard on us,” Reid said.

Right now, Cozzi says a lot of the concern is the unknown. He says his pantry is monitoring the potential legislation, doing whatever they can to be proactive.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Photo of Nilton Vieira Junior.

Husband Allegedly Mutilates Romantic Rival Before Fatal Attack, Apprehended in Chains

A MAN accused of cutting of his wife’s lover’s penis off with…
Hollywood heir accused of beheading wife, in-laws dies in custody days before release of key evidence

Heir to Hollywood fortune suspected of beheading wife and in-laws passes away in custody ahead of crucial evidence release

Sam Haskell IV, a Hollywood figure accused of gruesomely dismembering his wife…
Woman with red hair on a balcony, enjoying a coffee break during her time teaching English in Vietnam.

UK Traveler Faces Court for Alleged E-Scooter Incident Resulting in Father’s Death After Six-Hour Pub Outing, Faces 20-Year Sentence

A British backpacker has been brought to court over allegations of fatally…
Chicago crime: Leaders to mark 1 year of Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago program

Chicago Crime: Local Officials Celebrate One Year of Safer Chicago Initiative to Reduce Community Violence

CHICAGO (WLS) — Tuesday marks a year since the beginning of a…

Megachurch Pastor John MacArthur Passes Away at 86 After Pneumonia Hospitalization

INFLUENTIAL pastor John MacArthur has died at the age of 86 after…
7-month-old baby dies after being pulled 'unresponsive' from lake by his mom: police

Tragic Incident: 7-Month-Old Baby Found Unresponsive in Lake Dies

In Australia, a 7-month-old infant was discovered “unresponsive” after being pulled from…
Florida set to execute Michael Bell for 1993 murders

Florida Scheduled to Execute Michael Bell for 1993 Murders

Florida plans to execute Michael Bernard Bell on Tuesday for the 1993…
California professor Jonathan Anthony Caravello arrested for allegedly tossing tear gas canister at ICE agents during raid on marijuana farm

California Education Professional Jonathan Anthony Caravello Arrested for Allegedly Throwing Tear Gas at ICE Officers During Cannabis Farm Raid

A California professor has been detained over accusations of throwing a tear…
OEMC, cooling centers, air conditioning and more: What's changed about extreme heat response since deadly 1995 Chicago heat wave

How Chicago’s Approach to Extreme Heat Has Evolved Since the Deadly 1995 Heat Wave: A Look at Cooling Centers, OEMC, and Air Conditioning

CHICAGO (WLS) — It was 30 years ago this week that the…
Lenny Hochstein dating Russian model Alena Kovalenko

Lenny Hochstein in a Relationship with Russian Model Alena Kovalenko

Dr. Lenny Hochstein has a new girlfriend, Page Six can exclusively reveal.…
Texas woman accused of plotting ex-husband's murder with fentanyl-laced chocolates under indictment

Texas Woman Indicted for Allegedly Planning Ex-Husband’s Murder Using Fentanyl-Tainted Chocolates

A Texas woman faced charges last week after authorities alleged she attempted…
Silas Chearer wandered from his home in Cub Run, Kentucky, on Tuesday morning

Tragic End: 5-Year-Old Silas Chearer, Subject of Kentucky IAN Alert, Found Deceased After Straying Away from Cub Run Residence

THE search for a missing 5-year-old autistic boy has ended in tragedy…