The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program, helping to feed more than 42.5 million people each month. 58 percent of participants were children or elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Participating in SNAP is linked with significant, long-lasting benefits for America’s most vulnerable children and families. According to research, SNAP reduces poverty, boosts the economy, prevents obesity and improves food security.

With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, StoryCorps produced a collection of stories of SNAP beneficiaries across the country, clearly illustrating how SNAP provides critical support to children and families.

In these stories, StoryCorps participants share how SNAP helped them. Learn how the program introduced them to food banks, farmers’ markets and other resources to support their health and the health of their families. You’ll hear from military families confronting hunger after returning home from service, a single mom feeding her daughter while getting her college degree, and others.

The experiences of these families show that SNAP helps people in every corner of the country.

Meet our SNAP Participants: