The need for food resources grows with cuts to SNAP
Refugees can no longer access SNAP. A food pantry says its shelves are growing thinner
Some refugees say Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cuts are leaving them in limbo
“It’s like we are back again in Syria, and we, we feel lost, like we did in Syria,” said a man who goes by Kamran and came to Iowa as a refugee.
Because of his health issues, he, his wife, and his six kids rely on one income.
Due to last year’s passage of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill,” his status as a refugee means he (and many other immigrants, including asylees) now can’t access SNAP benefits.
“If we have the means, we cook our own food. And if we doesn’t, we, If we don’t, we will just eat bread,” Kamran said. “So everything is expensive for us, including the house and the food. And we don’t even have the green card, so it’s hard for us to go out.”
Video below: Nonprofit seeks space to continue food distributions
Jody Mashek at Iowa Migrant Movement Center for Justice keeps a close eye on the numerous policy changes over the last few years.
“A lot of these individuals are being told they have to adjust their status to that of a permanent resident, which means they need to get their green cards, or they’re going to lose their benefits and have already started losing their benefits,” Mashek said.
Iowa Health and Human Services administers SNAP in the state. They did not respond to a request for comment from Hearst sister station KCCI.
Kamran’s family is one of many in Iowa facing uncertainty.
One woman, calling herself Danielle, came to Iowa as a refugee after growing up in a camp in Kenya.
She said it’s been a tough transition, and she feels stuck in the legal uncertainty.
“It feels devastating, I would say, because you feel as if your life is in limbo and you feel as if your life is not moving forward,” Danielle said.
She’s seen the loss of SNAP benefits affect people here in Iowa.
“It’s really difficult, as with, for women and their young children, some of the people in my community that I know have younger children, you know, and they’re not able to work,” Danielle said.
Video below: New SNAP changes effective Aug. 31: Here’s what you need to know
That growing need shows in the empty shelves of Urbandale Food Pantry.
“Our shelves can be full, as you can see today. There’s not a lot on our shelves because access to the anytime room has increased dramatically,” said Patty Sneddon-Kisting, the Urbandale Food Pantry CEO.
The pantry’s “anytime room,” where people come in daily for food, has been averaging 390 visits a day, from people of all walks of life, in the anytime room. Last week broke a record at 397 visitors.
A population in Iowa that, among others, has members with a growing need for a helping hand.
Sneddon-Kisting encourages anyone in need of access to food to reach out to their local food pantries for support.
For anyone wanting to help, pantries are open to donations, time, and organizations to help with greater food rescue efforts.