Nebraska For Us leads discussion on SNAP cuts, raises funds to reduce local school lunch debt
Local coalition urges Bacon, state’s federal delegation to reverse previously enacted SNAP cuts and tariffs as costs rise
OMAHA, Nebraska (September 22, 2025)—Today, Nebraska For Us hosted a panel of experts to kick off a virtual pledge-a-thon to discuss the issues of SNAP cuts, lunch debt, tariffs, rising costs, and more. It is part of a monthlong campaign during National Hunger Month, raising awareness about hunger in our community and the challenges facing families as a result of the Republican Tax Law and tariffs that Congressman Don Bacon voted for.
State lawmakers will soon need to face cuts at the federal level and address potential solutions here at home. During the start of the pledge-a-thon, state senators shared their concerns about how to meet the need.
“When it comes to federal cuts, these cuts to SNAP are going to hit our rural communities very hard,” Nebraska State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh said. “Food pantries are not going to fill the need, and grocery stores rely, in part, on SNAP funding. My colleagues are not prepared to fill the need that will only grow in the coming years.”
“Veterans shouldn’t be hungry, children shouldn’t be hungry, seniors shouldn’t be hungry,” Nebraska State Senator Victor Rountree said. “Many people don’t understand until they have walked a certain path in life, and we need more empathy and compassion. We need to make sure Nebraskans have what they need.”
Broader policy impacts will need to be addressed moving forward, and there are multiple factors at play that affect thousands of families statewide. Local organizations note that the dynamics are shifting dramatically.
“The changes that happened at the national level are enormous and unprecedented,” said Eric Savaiano, Nebraska Appleseed Program Manager of Food and Nutrition Access. “We are worried about the additional dollars Nebraska will need to come up with to fund the SNAP program as it exists currently. Grocery prices are only going up, and wages have not kept pace.”
“These programs were able to help me focus on my education while I was a child,” Omaha student Cale Johnson said. “Growing up in Kearney, my family was on SNAP, but we also had to rely on food pantries to help meet the need. Even as a child, I recognized how challenging it can be for families to fill crucial gaps.”
“With news that the Trump Administration is now planning to end a long-running annual hunger survey, it is more important than ever for us to be having these conversations about the need in our community,” Nebraska For Us State Director Angie Lauritsen said. “No removal of surveys will change the fact that SNAP is facing deep cuts and tariffs are increasing prices for goods across the board.”
The Republican Tax Law includes massive cuts to SNAP that are expected to cause 1 million children nationwide to lose access to food assistance. That is on top of families who are barely affording to get by as grocery prices continue to rise. In partnership with All for Lunch, Nebraska For Us will match the first $500 donated during pledge-a-thon. A link to donate can be found here.
