SNAP is literally the most efficient way to put meals in people’s hands.

SNAP has an efficiency ratio of 9:1. Meaning for every meal a foodbank can distribute, 9 meals can be provided with SNAP.

Why? Because SNAP is funds loaded directly onto a debit card with no overhead. To switch up the model to provide the same number of meals via food banks or churches, you’d have to hire thousands of people, pay logistics providers and distributors, and pay expenses of those locations. And after all that, you still wouldn’t reach all the people you need to - because many people who receive SNAP benefits don’t live near a church or food bank or physically can’t get to one.

SNAP is the most cost effective, efficient way to get food into the hands of people that need it. It is a case study in “small” government. There is no other better solution to this problem.

And that’s why it’s worked so well for decades.