Read the stories of parents who have used SNAP to get through challenging times and why this program matters for kids in America.
Patrick R. in Ohio
Patrick, a married father of three from Zanesville, Ohio, cares full-time for his 3-year-old son, along with his 7- and 11-year-old daughters, while studying at night to become a licensed electrician. His wife works as an LPN at the local orthopedic center, and together they are working to build lasting financial stability for their family. Thanks to SNAP, Patrick says he can prioritize his family’s health without sacrificing financial responsibility. With fresh ingredients from local farmers’ markets, they cook homemade meals, share family time around the table, and pack healthy lunches their kids can take to school. He says it’s a relief to see his young son proudly open the fridge and find fresh food waiting for him. "SNAP benefits are more than just a handout. They're a hand up for my family. It is making all the difference in my life right now."
Richie E. in New York
Richie, a single father of a 13-year-old on Long Island, makes “Richie’s Taco Tuesday” for his daughter thanks to SNAP benefits. He spoke about the rising cost of living in his area and would ask lawmakers to “Pay closer attention, see what the people in these areas need.”
Christine L. in New York
Christine, a pre-K teacher, has always budgeted carefully, planning meals around grocery store sales and doing her best to stay independent. When her partner, a local farm worker, qualified for SNAP, it gave them just enough extra support to afford healthier groceries, including fresh produce and organic items she once had to pass up. With a teenage son who stays with her regularly, SNAP helped her stretch every dollar without sacrificing her values of hard work, personal responsibility, and caring for family. “We’re Americans. We pay taxes. We’re just trying to live day by day, feed our kids, and obviously we have to eat.”
Melissa M. in New York
Melissa, a self-employed mother of four, lives by values rooted in faith, family and personal responsibility. She and her husband work hard to raise their two toddlers and guide their two teenagers in financial literacy and healthy living. Melissa did not expect to need public assistance. But during back-to-back pregnancies, staying home with newborns made it impossible to keep working. SNAP offered a temporary but vital bridge, helping her provide nutritious meals, avoid fast food, and keep up with household bills. That support gave her family the room to save for a car, invest in their children’s education, and build toward a stronger financial future. “Getting SNAP was really what helped us get above water. It changed the trajectory of where we would have been in this moment if we hadn’t had it.”
Lisa B. in New York
Lisa, a working mother, gave birth to her son during the height of COVID while facing unemployment and a painful personal transition. As she worked to rebuild her life and create a safe, healthy home, SNAP helped her provide real nourishment, not just food, for her growing child. With the ability to buy fresh produce, whole grains and quality proteins, Lisa felt one major weight lifted. That support gave her the stability to focus on being a present, grounded mom at a time when everything else felt uncertain. “It gave us the capability of eating nutritious foods and being able to afford the foods that I would have been struggling with.”
Sierra H. in Pennsylvania
Sierra is a married mother of two in Pennsylvania. She makes as many of her family’s meals from scratch as she can, is building a garden and one day hopes to raise animals to live off the land. She and her husband got into debt when his work in radio sales came to a standstill last fall, struggling to pay bills and give their kids Christmas gifts. They’re getting SNAP as they work their way out of debt. Sierra wants lawmakers to know that “If it wasn't for SNAP, we probably wouldn't have had food. We probably would have been very hungry or had to rely on food banks, which are already overcrowded. It has made a huge impact on families like ours.“
Lisa C. in Pennsylvania
Lisa, a mother of three in Pennsylvania, found herself in a tough spot after losing her full-time job when she was diagnosed with arthritis. With rising food costs and only one income, it became harder to keep her family fed and focused on nutrition. SNAP gave her the support she needed to get through the hardest part without losing hope or slipping into debt. Lisa sees SNAP as a tool that lets families regroup and regain stability, not a handout. “It was life-changing for me and my family. [Before SNAP] I could only feed them certain kinds of meals. I wasn't able to think about nutrition as much. It was just trying to get something in their stomachs.”
Margarita L. in California
Margarita, a working mother of two in Kern County, California, turned to SNAP when her husband was unexpectedly hospitalized and she had to leave her job to care for him. With both of her sons in special education, she was determined to keep their home stable, even quietly skipping meals herself so her kids wouldn’t go without. SNAP helped her cover groceries during that critical time, allowing her to stay ahead on car payments and keep the lights on, especially during the holidays, when her children were excited for Christmas and she feared she’d have nothing to give. “I wasn't eating well, honestly, but once we got the benefits, I was able to start eating with the kids.”
Jennifer W. in California
Jennifer, a single mother in California, is raising her four-year-old son while working part-time at a grocery store and slowly earning her college degree, one class at a time. With food prices rising and only a limited income, she turned to SNAP to bridge the gap, helping her plan meals in advance and shop in bulk when she can. That support means she can still afford the healthy foods her son loves like cut-up watermelon, small things that make him smile and feel cared for. “SNAP has given me the opportunity to be independent and not in a servant situation.”
Daisy D. in Louisiana
Daisy, a single mother, works full time, picks up side jobs, and makes custom crafts to support her two children. She believes in hard work and self-reliance, but the rising cost of food and living pushed her to apply for SNAP just to stay ahead. That help means her daughter can still get her favorite strawberries, her son can keep making his protein shakes, and they can take their yearly drive to the Gulf for a humble but joyful beach day, a free tradition that reminds them life is about more than just getting by. “I advocate for dropping the stigma of food assistance. I’ve paid into this program all of my life. I unfortunately need to reap the benefits from it now, and I am. And that’s the only thing keeping my family afloat.”
Darrisha H. in North Carolina
Darrisha, a single mother of four from Charlotte, North Carolina, is working toward her bachelor's degree in business administration while caring full-time for her youngest son, who was born deaf, blind, and faces multiple serious health challenges. She also works part-time as a school nurse when possible. Grounded in faith and determination, Darrisha is raising her children to value education, hard work, and personal responsibility—lessons she lives by every day. SNAP has been a temporary lifeline during this chapter, helping her put healthy meals on the table as she builds a better future for her family. “I think this is just a step on the pyramid for people who are trying to cultivate their life and trying to pursue their career and their goals. This is not something permanent. It's just a stepping stone that people may need to get by for the time being.”
Mia F. in Louisiana
Mia, a single mother of three from Opelousas, Louisiana, never imagined she would need government assistance. With a master’s degree in criminal justice and a career helping others navigate disability benefits, she worked hard to support her family. But when her youngest son was born with serious medical needs, Mia had to step away from full-time work to care for her children. SNAP has helped bridge the gap, allowing her to buy fresh, healthy food while focusing on her sons’ health and preparing to reenter the workforce when the time is right. “Put yourself in our shoes. You don't ever know when your time might come, where you're going to need something.”
