Media cite Butler’s study on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Maine Public, WABI (Channel 5) and WVII (Channel 7) reported on a new study on the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) written by Sandra Butler, a social work professor at the University of Maine. Maine Equal Justice Partners and Preble Street partnered to survey families around the state for the study, WABI reported. They study concluded that among Mainers who are receiving SNAP benefits, 63 percent are in households with children, 43 percent contain household members who are elderly or have a disability and 41 percent are working households. The study also found 62 percent of respondents said they would get very little to no help to get the food they need if they lost SNAP benefits. “We found out SNAP helps a lot,” Butler told WVII. “It reduces anxiety about how to put food on the table. It reduces anxiety about paying the bills. But we also found out despite that, people don’t get enough food to eat every month and many have to go to a food pantry.” The Bangor Daily News also cited the study in an editorial.