Thousands of Middle Georgians Brace For Food Stamp Cuts

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Middle Georgia families who use food stamps are bracing themselves for the upcoming cuts they’ll see for their monthly benefits.

Families getting help from the government to put food on the table might have to take a couple of items off of their grocery list.

Beginning November 1, about 1.9 million Georgians who use food stamps every month will see about $36 dollars reduced from their benefits.

“Fortunately, because of the way this has been set up over time, and the way the families receive their food, it’ll be spread out over the full month of November it won’t just be on one day that everybody will have a shortfall,” Ronald Raleigh, head of the Middle Georgia Community Bank, said.

He says the timing of the cuts means families will have to brace themselves for the holidays.

“Right here at Thanksgiving. The hunger need, the faces out there that are in hunger or that are in need intensifies,” Raleigh said.

Middle Georgians have mixed feelings about the benefit reduction, saying some people take advantage of food stamps.

“The Bible says the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike, so it’s unfortunate that’s it’s going to happen, but we’ve got to do something,” one resident said.

Raleigh says by next year things could be worse.

“The government is getting ready to cut the farm bill, so they’re probably looking at another 20% decrease in food stamps and the SNAP program at the first of the year,” Raleigh said.