SNAP Cuts Town Hall: How will they impact eastern Iowa?

Last week, Fairness for Iowa hosted a town hall and food drive event at the Coralville Public Library, where Iowans attended to discuss how SNAP cuts will impact their community.

The Republican Tax Law, voted for by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, makes devastating cuts to SNAP which helps feed hungry Iowa families. To call attention to this and help with the increased need for food around the district, Fairness for Iowa donated $750 worth of contributions and attendees were encouraged to bring donations for the Coralville Community Food Pantry.

Iowa House Representative Elinor Levin attended the event to listen to Iowans and their concerns surrounding food insecurity. 

“For thousands of my hard-working constituents, SNAP stands between them and the decisions of whether to eat or pay the water bill,” Levin said. “While legislators are not the ones directly impacted by a decision to cut SNAP funding, there is nothing so important as listening to those who are. An event like this SNAP cuts town hall brings together direct experiences from people who rely on food assistance for their families day-to-day with Iowa workers who serve them and speak to them with compassion, not derision.”

Nicki Ross the executive director of Table to Table spoke about the already increased demand food pantries are experiencing and emphasized the strain on rural communities in Iowa. 

“In fiscal year 2025 alone, food pantries in Johnson County purchased 446,000 pounds more of food than the year before, a 56 percent increase in just one year — demonstrating the already increased need for food among local residents, and we haven’t even seen the impact of the SNAP cuts yet,” Ross said. “When we talk about SNAP benefits, who needs them more than anyone else? Iowa’s rural communities. Because the food pantry system and distribution network that exists in Johnson County and Des Moines doesn’t exist at all in rural areas of Iowa.”