Proposed federal budget cuts recently advanced by the House Budget Committee are poised to cut billions over the next decade to SNAP and Medicaid funding, a slash that local food pantries and distribution banks say will have severe impacts on the Gulf Coast's "most vulnerable."

Legislation will cut SNAP funding by an estimated $300 billion and Medicaid by an estimated $880 billion over 10 years and also proposes authority to revoke nonprofit status and reduce nonprofits' ability to raise money by introducing changes to charitable tax deductions, according to Feeding the Gulf Coast, a food bank that serves 24 counties in South Alabama, South Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle.

"These programs are lifelines for vulnerable Americans, including families, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities — and shifts the burden to nonprofits already stretched thin," the nonprofit said in a statement.

The proposed bill also includes provisions that shift 5% of SNAP benefit costs to state budgets, an estimated $475 million across Feeding the Gulf Coast's states.

"If states are unable or unwilling to absorb these costs these programs will suffer further. It remains unclear whether states are prepared to shoulder this burden or how they would fund it. It would also introduce administrative barriers that may disqualify people who are already working or caring for family members," the statement reads.

In these three Gulf states, more than 70% of households receiving SNAP include children or older neighbors.

"Along the Gulf Coast, we know how to prepare for a storm," said Michael Ledger, president & CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. "This legislation has all the ingredients for a crisis: a nearly 3 year lapsed Farm Bill, reduced access to nutritious food, and threats to the nonprofits that serve on the front lines."

This year so far, Prodisee Pantry, which receives meals through Feeding the Gulf Coast as a community partner, served 336 families who received assistance for the first time in the nonprofit's 22 years.

"Most of them are working, they're just not bringing in enough," said Deann Servos, executive director of Prodisee Pantry.

She cited high food costs and cost of living coupled with stagnant wages and retirement payments as a reason many are seeking assistance for the first time.

"Knowing that the average monthly SNAP [assistance] is like $300, so take away $100, that's significant if you're a household with kids," she said. "… Alabama traditionally has ranked in the bottom for a lot of categories, and food insecurity is an issue in Baldwin County and the state. And they're asking the state to make up the difference in these cuts."

She said one in four children in southwest Alabama are food insecure.

Through earlier this month, Prodisee Pantry had completed 4,002 family visits. Servos said that is on par with last year but that what she estimates is a 30% cut to SNAP and Medicaid funding "will significantly increase the need in our community."

"We try to forecast. This would be unexpected," she said. "We'll do the best we can to continue to provide every family we see. … Hunger isn't something we should have to face."

Servos said while federal support is critical, "without community support, we cease to exist."
Cuts in funding means Prodisee Pantry, the largest food pantry in Baldwin County, would need more community fundraising.

In 2024, Feeding the Gulf Coast distributed 35 million meals through more than 800 community partners throughout its service area. Beyond food distribution, the food bank operates multiple hunger relief and nutrition programs, including child and senior nutrition programs, benefits outreach, nutrition education and disaster relief.