Washington state is going to have the eleventh largest cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the country. These cuts start affecting participants on Nov. 1, 2013.

According to The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, national cuts this November are estimated at a total of $5 billion, and Washington State is forecasted to cut $114 million for the 2014 fiscal year. Households of two relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may see as much as a $20 drop from the October maximum of $367.

Daniel Wilcox, an employee of the Spokane Falls Community College Food Bank, said that he is nervous about the potential cuts. “Food Stamps are my only source of food currently,” said Wilcox.

The Spokane Falls Community College food bank supervisor, Miracle Jones, said that there is no post-cut plan to compensate for potential losses within the student body.

“The budget is very restricted as it is,” Jones said.

Already, the SFCC food bank gives out an estimated 2400lbs. of canned goods to students in need every quarter. This does not include the produce donated to them by 2nd Harvest, a non-profit organization which provides food to individuals and families who cannot provide for themselves.

“Because students are currently on financial aid, the food bank doesn’t usually get busy until the end of October,” Jones said.

However, she followed this by explaining that she would need to request a budget extension should the cuts transpire, because she did not see the budget as being sufficient in the face of the $114 million difference.

Jones says that the “people who come to the bank are usually in dire need,” and come when they no longer have the ability to obtain food with their food stamps.

The SFCC food bank is located in the Student Union Building (17) opposite the students’ recreational facility, and is open to any student with a current SID card and sticker. Students are limited to three visits per quarter, and are allocated food based on number of dependents.

Students can also take advantage of  the “Farmer’s Market” events that take place on campus October 10, November 7, and December 4.

At these events the SFCC food bank staff hands out food donated by 2nd Harvest in building 17. The event works to alleviate part of the stress being applied to the current budget, and provides the SFCC’s food bank with another outlet for assisting students in need on campus.

“The events are usually very popular, and widely attended by students,” said Wilcox. “They will only become more popular when these food stamp cuts come to Washington.”