Chicopee, MASS--

The more than 900-page law signed by President Donald Trump includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for Americans.  To make these cuts, the law will slash more than $180 billion in food stamps over the next ten years.

“Frankly, it was devastating news,” Chirstina Maxwell, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts program director said. 

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts said one in six residents in the region rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. 

“SNAP brings $35 million into western Massachusetts every month. That money of course, goes to families and individuals who need the help to buy groceries, but then it goes to the grocers, it goes to farmers, so there’s a trickle-down effect,” Maxwell said. 

Cost saving measures include the restructuring of SNAP. It expands requirements and shifts benefit and administrative costs to the states. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute said these changes could put roughly 150,000 Massachusetts residents at risk.  

“The last thing people need who are already struggling is to do more paperwork and jump through more hoops just to prove they are working which is sometimes difficult, depending on your employer, depending on the situation,” Maxwell said. 

These cuts are expected to take effect October of next year. However, the Food Bank said their SNAP education program is being de-funded this fall.  

“ It’s an important, evidence-based program that teaches people who get SNAP benefits to shop well, to prepare healthy meals on a tight budget. It encourages physical activity,” she said. “We do all of that and that is in danger right now.”

The Food Bank is already operating with its highest numbers in history, serving roughly 124,000 people every month. Maxwell said this new law could strip some people of their benefits and they’ll turn to their local food pantry or meal site for help.

“We will be doing our very best to supply food to those food pantries and meal sites and make sure people get the nutritious food they need when and where they need it,” Maxwell said. “It’s going to be difficult though. There is no sugar coating that.”

Nationally, many republicans say the changes to SNAP requirements will work to encourage employment. Last week, State Senator Peter Durant told Spectrum News 1, the state is still in the process of learning how these cuts will play out locally.