What happens when food assistance shrinks while the need continues to grow? During a recent meeting with U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley’s office and Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Charities of Oregon shared what staff is seeing on the ground, from people losing SNAP benefits to families making difficult choices between food, medicine and other basic necessities.
Food insecurity doesn’t begin and end with an empty pantry. It affects health, housing, stability, employment, education and overall well-being. As individuals and families across Oregon face growing challenges, Catholic Charities of Oregon is committed not only to serving those in need but also to sharing what we are seeing with the policymakers who shape the systems upon which people rely.
Recently, CCO met with representatives from Sen. Jeff Merkley’s office and Catholic Charities USA to discuss hunger, public benefits and the growing pressures facing vulnerable Oregonians. Joining the conversation were Nate Sansone and Sofie Braunstein from Merkley’s office, along with Francisco “Frankie” Chevere, director of social policy and government affairs for CCUSA.
The Growing Impact of SNAP Changes
A significant portion of the conversation focused on recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the impact those changes are having across the country.
“We are deeply troubled by the number of people losing SNAP benefits as a result of recent legislation,” Chevere said. “Already, nearly 4 million people, including more than 700,000 children and %0,000 Oregonians, have lost access to benefits due to new work requirements.”
According to Chevere, affected Oregonians are estimated to lose an average of $287 per month in food assistance. He also noted that the Oregon Department of Human Services estimates the state could ultimately need to contribute an additional $385 million annually once all provisions of the federal reconciliation bill take effect. The reconciliation bill is a budget package passed by Congress that includes changes to government spending, taxes and programs, like SNAP.
At the same time, more people are turning to community organizations for help, many nonprofits are facing funding challenges of their own. Reductions in government funding, cuts to programs such as FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program and increased competition for grants have strained resources across the nonprofit sector. The result is a growing gap between community need and the resources available to meet it.
What We’re Seeing on the Ground
For CCO, these policy discussion are not abstract. They reflect realities our staff encounter every day.
“What we’re seeing is a coalescence of issues hitting people all at once,” said Rose Bak, chief operating office for CCO. “Someone may no longer qualify for SNAP, but they’re also nervous about leaving home and seeking help. Others are afraid to come into an office to ask questions or reapply for benefits.”
Ba noted that individuals experiencing homelessness face additional barriers.
“People living on the street often cannot meet work requirements because they are focused on basic survival,” she said.
As costs continue to rise and resources become more difficult to access, staff are increasingly witnessing people forced to make impossible choices.
“We’re hearing that people are making really hard decisions between buying food and paying for medicine,” Bak said.
Behind every statistic is a person, a family or a senior trying to navigate circumstances that are often far more complicated than a policy can capture.
Why These Conversations Matter
One of the most valuable outcomes of the meeting was the opportunity to exchange information.
Organizations like Catholic Charities are often among the first to see how policy changes affect real people. By sharing stories and trends from the communities we serve, we can help policymakers better understand the practical impacts of decisions made in Salem and Washington, D.C.
The conversation also highlighted opportunities for learning in the other direction. For example, participants discussed Oregon programs that help stretch food dollars at participating farmers markets, including Double Up Food Bucks. The discussion underscored the importance of ensuring that both service providers and policymakers understand the resources available to Oregon families.
Building an Ongoing Dialogue
Catholic Charities hopes this meeting is the beginning of a regular dialogue with Sen. Merkley’s office and other elected leaders.
Strong public policy depends on accurate information. Equally important is ensuring that the experiences of the people we serve are part of the conversation. By maintaining relationships with elected officials and advocacy partners, we can help elevate the voices of Oregonians who are often underrepresented in policy discussions.
Advocacy is one part of our mission. Direct service is another. Together, they help us respond not only to immediate but also to the systems and policies that shape people’s lives.
As the needs in our communities continue to evolve, CCO remains committed to both listening and speaking up on behalf of our neighbors, ensuring that their stories, challenges and hopes are heard.