To the editor:
In recent weeks, many families in our community have expressed relief that the SNAP program is fully functioning again. For parents trying to stretch every dollar and keep food on the table, SNAP is often the support that allows them to remain financially stable during temporary hardships. I want to thank Sen. Susan Collins for her steady leadership in helping restore that stability for households in need. Her work to end the shutdown ensured that SNAP could continue serving families and vulnerable neighbors throughout Maine.
As a pastor, I see firsthand the impact these benefits have. Historically, caring for the hungry was a responsibility carried largely by local churches and communities. Over time, as fewer people remain connected to church involvement, this role has shifted more toward government programs. Whether or not that is ideal can be debated, but the reality is that SNAP has become essential for many. With the government reopened, I now see struggling parents who can finally exhale, seniors who no longer have to choose between groceries and medicine, and children who go to bed with full stomachs instead of wondering where their next meal will come from.
Are there abuses of the program? Certainly — just as there are with any program, public or private. But Sen. Collins’ willingness to put people before politics is commendable, and her actions have made a meaningful difference for families who genuinely need help.
I am grateful for her commitment to our communities and her readiness to work across the aisle. Our country needs more leaders who are willing to come together and do what is right for the people of this great nation.
Troy Heald
Woodland
