Tucson, Arizona, October 30 (askanews) – As of January 2026, five million Americans lost access to the food assistance program known as "Snap." Those few hundred dollars a month credited to a card used at supermarkets made it possible, for example, to supplement one's retirement and support a family. Among those who lost their benefits is Oscar Ochoa, a U.S. Army veteran who, in addition to returning to work as a bus driver, now finds himself making frequent visits to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona in Tucson. "Right now, as we speak, the prices of groceries and meat are way too high for my means.
And that's why the Community Food Bank is so helpful to me, because they give me things that I just can't afford at the supermarket,” she explains. Persistent inflation fueled by Trump's war against Iran, which has sent gas prices soaring, has proven disastrous for many middle-class Americans. Many are hoping for a change in the upcoming midterm elections, given that cuts to food support were imposed following President Donald Trump's budget bill, which he dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.” “The 'Big Beautiful Bill' was a law that didn't actually benefit us poor people or the average American.
"In my opinion, and in the opinion of many of my friends, it only benefited those with a lot of money. They're the ones who get the tax breaks," Ochoa added, referring to Trump's major tax reform signed in July 2025. "This 'Big Beautiful Bill' has definitely influenced many of the decisions I and other people I know have made in the run-up to the next election," says Angelica Garcia, a 45-year-old hotel receptionist.
"I think it's really opened the eyes of a lot of people, even those who voted for Trump or Republicans. Many are realizing the damage done by the 'Big Beautiful Bill' and by this administration in general," he added, urging everyone to "make their voices heard." The state of Arizona, in the southwest of the country, was hit hardest by the cuts to the Snap program, with over 465.000 beneficiaries, including 200.000 children, denied access. Natalie Jayroe, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, says the number of people using the service has increased from about 150.000 to 200.000 today: "I think a lot of people are unhappy with what they see as the administration's policies, even those who voted for Trump and the Republicans in Congress. If voter turnout were high, if these people would vote, they could make a difference here in Arizona. But the question is: will they vote?"
Askanews