Busting Myths on SNAP: Here’s the Truth

Food insecurity isn’t just a data point. It’s real people skipping meals so their kids can eat. It’s a grown-up choosing beans over meat. It’s a family deciding between rent and groceries. And right now, with a looming federal shutdown threatening SNAP benefits for millions of Americans, these stories aren’t theoretical — they’re urgent.

Let’s talk about the myths we tell ourselves (and each other) about hunger, about assistance, about worth — and let’s flip them, so we can see the deeper truth.

Myth #1: “People who get food assistance are just taking advantage, living off the system.”

Truth: The vast majority of households receiving SNAP are working, paying rent, raising families — they’re just one economic shock away from falling through. And food assistance isn’t a lifestyle; it’s a lifeline.

Why: According to recent reporting, SNAP supports more than 40 million Americans — about one in eight. When the federal funding is interrupted, many states warn that benefits for November could be delayed or stopped. This isn’t because people are abusing the system — it’s because the system is structurally fragile.

What that means for us: When you hear someone criticize food assistance recipients, remember: most of the people on SNAP are already working hard. They’re buying groceries, juggling costs. Taking away that help doesn’t remove dependency — it removes support, and forces people onto harder paths.

Myth #2: “Food insecurity is only about not having enough food in the fridge.”

Truth: Food insecurity is about uncertainty, trade-offs, humanity, and dignity. It’s the difference between having enough calories and having enough nourishment. It’s skipping fresh produce to pay the power bill.

Why: One expert observed: “While [SNAP] is supposed to be supplemental, for many families, it is their sole source of food.” Food banks are warning they cannot absorb the gap if SNAP money is withheld.

What that means for us: When the conversation is about “just food,” we’re missing the point. Hunger isn’t only about quantity. It’s about stability, and the stress that comes from not knowing what you’ll eat tomorrow.

Myth #3: “Assistance programs like SNAP only help people who don’t want to work or try.”

Truth: Many households on SNAP are working — sometimes multiple jobs — and still struggle due to low wages, high costs (housing, transportation, medical). Assistance supports work; it doesn’t replace it.

Why: Older adults rely on SNAP too; millions of older adults would be at risk if benefits are interrupted. Also, the USDA has made clear that the shutdown has stopped new SNAP benefit files from going out — the issue isn’t eligibility, it’s funding flow.

What that means for us: Let’s stop framing assistance as a welfare check on character. It’s a social investment, a recognition that life costs money. It says: work is good, but even working people may need help.

Myth #4: “Food banks and charities can just fill the gap if government aid is cut.”

Truth: They cannot. Voluntary efforts are essential, yes — but they’re not designed to replace the scale or consistency of federal programs. If SNAP stops, the system buckles.

Why: Experts say food banks cannot cover the shortfall if benefits are withheld. One nonprofit said: “We will be there to serve our community. It just will not be in the way that we want to.”

What that means for us: If you believe in compassion, you also believe in structure. Charities fill in the cracks — but we still need the pillars in place. When those pillars wobble, everyone feels it.

Myth #5: “Food insecurity is far away and doesn’t affect people like me.”

Truth: It could affect almost anyone — including members of the military, veterans, and their families. Food insecurity crosses lines of age, race, geography, employment status, and service. When the safety net is disrupted — like now — it threatens many who thought they were “safe.”

Why: The looming pause of SNAP benefits if the shutdown continues shows how quickly the net can be pulled. Many states warn the benefits for November could be delayed.

What that means for us: Hunger isn’t someone else’s problem. It’s a societal problem. Whether or not you’ve been directly touched, you’re part of the ecosystem. And when millions are in jeopardy, the ripple reaches all of us.

What We Can Do — Tangible Ways to Show Up Right Now

1. Contact your representatives — today.
Call or email your congressional representatives and demand that SNAP funding be protected during the shutdown. Every call is logged. Every number matters. Be specific: ask them to prioritize food security and prevent delays in benefits.

2. Support local food banks with what they actually need.
Skip the expired canned goods. Donate shelf-stable proteins (like peanut butter, tuna, and beans) or contribute cash — it stretches farther. Many food banks can buy $9 worth of groceries for every $1 donated.

3. Check on your community.
If you know families relying on SNAP, offer practical help — a grocery gift card, a meal, or simply sharing verified information about benefit schedules. The shutdown creates confusion; clarity is a form of care.

4. Volunteer where the gap is growing.
Sign up for a shift at your nearest food distribution center or community fridge. Even a few hours a month helps move thousands of pounds of food. Many local pantries are doubling their outreach this month due to SNAP uncertainty.

5. Amplify credible information online.
Share updates from trusted sources like Feeding America, FRAC, or your state’s Department of Social Services. Disinformation about “free handouts” spreads faster than facts — use your platform to redirect the narrative toward truth.

6. Back policies, not just charities.
Yes, donate and volunteer — but also support long-term solutions like raising the minimum wage, expanding child tax credits, and funding affordable housing. Structural problems need structural answers.

7. Advocate for military families, seniors, and caregivers.
These groups are often invisible in the hunger conversation. Write to local news outlets, tag officials, and remind people that food insecurity impacts those who’ve served, worked, and cared for others their entire lives.

8. Keep showing up.
The shutdown will end, but the need won’t. Mark a recurring reminder to contribute — whether that’s a monthly donation, quarterly volunteer shift, or ongoing advocacy check-in. Hunger isn’t seasonal.

Final Thought

In this moment of uncertainty — with federal aid possibly stalling, states scrambling — we’re reminded that food security isn’t a static state. It’s fragile. It’s systemic. It’s human.

At Ardenia & Co., we believe in rooted empowerment — not shame. We believe in supporting structures that enable people to nourish themselves and their loved ones with dignity. And right now, that means recognizing that hunger isn’t just about empty plates — it’s about empty hope, missed opportunities, and a system that needs repair.

Let’s be the voices that say: yes, assistance matters. Yes, hunger is urgent. And yes, we’re all in this together.