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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Victoria Namkung

‘It’s been a lifesaver’: millions risk going hungry as Republicans propose slashing food stamps

People shop for food in a market with a sign 'We accept EBT food stamp'
People shop for food in a Brooklyn neighborhood with a large immigrant and elderly population on 16 October 2023 in New York City. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

During a recent grocery store visit, Audrey Gwenyth spent $159.01 on items such as eggs, Greek yogurt, edamame snaps, bagels, chia seeds, brownie mix, oatmeal, milk, cilantro rice and pork sausage. The entire bill was paid via her electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, card, which is how recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), pay for groceries at participating stores, farmers markets and restaurants.

“Because I’m a single mom and I don’t receive child support, I don’t have a lot of help in the world,” said Gwenyth, a mother of two toddlers, whose food budget is around $100 per week. She shares many of her EBT purchases on social media to help others make the most of their benefits. “I could not pay for food if it wasn’t for EBT. It’s been a lifesaver.”

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