Faith communities feel the strain as SNAP faces cuts

Krista Strum, Pastor, Hosanna Lutheran Church, Mankato 

Rev. Krista Strum of Hosanna Lutheran Church in Rochester said her congregation, like many across Olmsted County and Minnesota, is seeing food insecurity increase. 

“In our churches, we are seeing people daily coming in and asking for assistance, needing assistance, and the stories that we hear are absolutely heartbreaking,” she said. 

Local faith communities are doing what they can: serving meals, operating small food pantries, planting community gardens, and donating snacks to schools. At Hosanna, there’s often a box of Goldfish crackers or fruit snacks en route to a nearby classroom. But Rev. Strum says these efforts feel increasingly insufficient.  

“What we do feels so little and, at times, kind of insignificant,” she said. “With SNAP being in danger of being reduced, we’re really concerned about how we can support our little niche and some of the people that fall through the other cracks.” 

Strum emphasized strong partnerships between congregations and local food relief agencies like Channel One Food Bank, but noted that the demand is growing and resources are limited.  

“We’re very concerned about the funding shift for those that are currently depending on these programs, but also for those who are on the margins and are struggling to put food on their table—and that’s increasing.” 

As congregations work to respond, they’re also bracing for the broader impacts of rising prices and reduced support.  

“Cuts to SNAP funding and rising prices are going to impact not only our faith communities, but the also the people within our faith communities, from farmers to our children and families to our senior citizens,” Strum said. “We’re, as congregations and faith communities, having discussions on what can we do to help and do our part?”