Food security is about more than groceries. It is about dignity, health, and ensuring every neighbor has enough to eat.

Recent data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities show that more than 4.5 million Americans—an 11% decline in SNAP participation, lost food assistance between July 2025 and April 2026 as changes to federal law were implemented. More than 700,000 children have lost SNAP in the states where data are currently available, and those numbers continue to grow.

Here in Nevada, these changes matter.

• Approximately 433,000 Nevadans rely on SNAP to help put food on the table.
• Federal data indicate that SNAP participation in Nevada has declined by more than 10% since July 2025.
• Earlier this year, state officials warned that as many as 46,000 Nevadans could be affected by new work requirements, increasing pressure on food banks and community organizations.

Churches, food pantries, and organizations like Three Square faithfully respond to hunger every day. But they were never meant to replace a nutrition program that serves hundreds of thousands of Nevadans.

As Lutherans, we believe caring for our neighbor means both feeding those who are hungry today and advocating for policies that reduce hunger tomorrow.

Ending hunger is not simply an act of charity, it is an act of justice.