Locals in Yuma react to dealing with less SNAP benefits
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) announced earlier this week over 400,000 Arizonans are receiving less SNAP benefits in the past year.
In 2025, Republicans passed legislation cutting $187 billion into nutrition assistance programs.
Food banks across Arizona, including the Yuma Community Food Bank, are filling the gap to put food on the table for families.
Andy Robinson, President and CEO of the Yuma Community Food Bank, said they’ve seen a bigger increase since the bill.
“We’ve had to be very understanding of long lines and trying to get people through as quick as possible, especially in the summer heat, but we’re doing our very best,” Robinson explained. “We have food, we have great support through our community.”
Robinson goes on to say that the foodbank is prepared for situations like this when it comes to providing food for families.
“We’ve been able to react pretty quickly and understanding where people might have more need in our community might need us more. So what we’ve done is just be prepared for those situations because you never know when the next disaster may happen,” Robinson said.
For locals like David Rivera, he said it’s been very hard for him and his mom.
“My food stamps were at 280 and it got dropped down to 60 out of nowhere. So it’s been pretty hard for us. It’s me and my mother. My mother is also on disability and we depend on the food bank here in Yuma,” Rivera said.
Because of the food bank, it’s been a huge blessing for David and his mother.
“It’s just given us a place where we can come and get some kind of groceries because the groceries are very high. It’s just been a struggle for us here,” Rivera said.
Sen. Kelly said he will continue to fight for Rivera and other Arizonans affected to protect food assistance and lower costs.
Click here to follow the original article.