Giving out free fruit for snack time. Stocking on-site pantry shelves. Coordinating after-school meals with local non-profits.

School districts across Iowa scrambled to make sure students were able to eat when there were SNAP delays due to the government shutdown and the Trump administration’s challenges to court rulings. Now, there’s a looming threat of big, long-term SNAP cuts from the Republicans signature tax and spending law—the “Big Beautiful Bill Act.” It’s poised to kick millions of people off SNAP, which is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program.

While schools are scrambling to fortify existing food programs and connect families with community resources, their work may not be enough to compensate for the potential loss of SNAP benefits, which would lead to hungry bellies in just about every classroom in Iowa.

✏️: Salina Heller