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The Kingston Common Council voted unanimously on Tuesday (July 1) to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and SNAP education. The council approved transferring nearly $136,000 from the Office of Grants Management to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative Small Grants Program. This decision comes in response to President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which recently passed in the Senate and proposes cutting nearly $300 billion from SNAP, potentially eliminating SNAP-Ed by the end of September.
According to Mid Hudson News, one in every ten residents in Ulster County relies on SNAP to feed their families. The council's decision aims to mitigate the impact of potential federal budget cuts on local residents.
The resolution reflects growing concerns over food insecurity, especially during the summer months when children lose access to school-provided meals. The Summer EBT 2025 program, which offers $120 per child for food during school vacations, is designed to combat this issue. However, not all states have opted to join the program this year, as reported by Marca.
The Kingston Common Council's decision highlights the importance of local initiatives in addressing food insecurity amid federal budgetary changes.