South Carolina Democrats Plan Press Conference Over Federal SNAP Benefit Suspension Threatening 260,000 Households

South Carolina is facing a critical crisis as federal funding for SNAP (food assistance) benefits is set to halt on November 1, 2025, threatening the food security of over 260,000 households in the state. Democratic lawmakers are urging Governor Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency, emphasizing that the suspension could result in a loss of $108 million in federal funds and nearly $194 million in economic activity across South Carolina. They stress that SNAP benefits are not merely charity but vital economic fuel that supports communities and small businesses statewide. Governor McMaster is responding by activating the One SC Fund through the Central Carolina Community Foundation to help mitigate the impact of the funding suspension. Lawmakers highlight the broader social consequences, noting that hunger affects women, children, and the entire community, and warn that the economic ripple effect will harm every part of the state. This situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated state action to address the looming food insecurity crisis triggered by the federal shutdown.