When Government Falls Short, Idahoans Step Up
Across the nation, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is running out of money. Not only does this threaten those who genuinely depend on the program to feed their families, but it also exposes a deeper problem: many people are on SNAP who shouldn’t be. Fraud, abuse, and lax oversight have allowed able-bodied individuals to steal from government programs instead of contributing to the workforce or seeking community-based help.
Federal mismanagement, unchecked spending, and a lack of fiscal discipline have put yet another government program on shaky ground. And here in Idaho, this reality hits close to home: nearly 130,000 Idahoans rely on SNAP to help feed their families.
This crisis raises an important question: who should be responsible for caring for the poor, the hungry, and the widowed? For far too long, we’ve looked to the government for answers that used to come from our neighbors, churches, and local communities. The result has been dependency, bureaucracy, and an ever-growing national debt, with little improvement in the lives of those in need.
The truth is simple: it’s not the government’s job to replace community compassion. The responsibility to care for one another belongs to us, individually and locally, not to distant agencies in Washington, D.C. or even Boise. Historically, it was families, churches, and civic organizations that stepped up when someone fell on hard times. They provided food, shelter, encouragement, and hope, not paperwork, red tape, or political strings. When a person repeatedly goes back to a local source for assistance, it is more likely to foster a sense of connection and belonging to the community, which encourages him to become more self-reliant. These providers are also more likely to know of local opportunities for employment and needed services.
A Call to Restore Local Care
As conservatives, we believe in personal responsibility and community strength. When we return to local solutions, we strengthen Idaho from the ground up. Instead of more dependency, we build dignity. Instead of more bureaucracy, we build belonging.
Right now is an opportunity for Idahoans to do what we’ve always done best, take care of our own. If the federal SNAP program falters, our churches, nonprofits, and local food banks will be the first line of defense for struggling families. We can ensure no one goes hungry by giving directly to organizations that are already doing the work.
What You Can Do
Donate to your local church’s food pantry or outreach program
Volunteer your time at a local food bank or community kitchen
Encourage your neighbors, congregations, and civic groups to get involved
Support Idaho-based charities working directly with those in need
To find trusted organizations and food banks near you, visit:
Government programs rarely go away, but they can be disrupted, delayed, or underfunded. When that happens, it’s the people who suffer while bureaucrats argue. That’s why we cannot rely on government systems to meet moral responsibilities.
Let’s remind D.C. that the best solutions don’t come from mandates and money; they come from the heart of a free and generous people. Together, we can ensure that every Idahoan has what they need, not because the government provided it, but because we did.
Idaho Freedom Caucus
This article expresses my sentiments exactly!
The government should have no role in the welfare of it's people. The role of caring for those in need belongs to the local churches, to me! In many ways the Church has abdicated it's role in taking care of the needy. As a Christian man, that is my judgement against the Church.
The government has no idea who is actually in need of a hand up, or a hand out. The local church community does know that.
I have neighbors that have needs. I can meet those needs and I do! From climbing on my tractor to fix a driveway, to providing food or shelter. My neighbors know me and my needs. I've had a group of men show up to help me with chores when I've been injured or sick. My wife and I have had families in trouble stay with us. My wife has ministered to single women by providing shelter and food, sometimes long term. We have done that when we could just barely feed ourselves and when we were blessed with plenty.
That's the way it should be. Not the extraordinary, expensive boondoggle the welfare system has become.
We agree completely with every word in this article. Here's someone else who agrees:
Please see related Substack note for more commentary:
Brazilian Woman in the US Delivers Powerful Takedown of America’s Nanny State + Articles by Idaho Representatives. A Brazilian woman now in the US took to social media to deliver a powerful and accurate takedown of America’s nanny state. By Margaret Flavin Oct. 30, 2025. Also articles from Idaho State Rep. David Leavitt and Idaho Freedom Caucus. https://substack.com/@bige47/note/c-172076155
We copied the text of of the Brazilian woman's message below because it's so good...
“The left is so funny,” she began. “Workers who don’t work, students who don’t study, educators who don’t educate, and politicians who cannot lead, so they buy votes instead. But somehow they figured it out.”
“They create dependence and call it compassion.”
“They create victims and call it justice, create laziness and call it equality.”
“And a bunch of dumb people fall for that.”
“Yesterday, I made a video about how crazy it is that more than 40 million people here in America are relying on food stamps to get their basic groceries.”
“And then as I did more research, I found out that in Brazil, my home country, we have more than 94 million people receiving some benefit from the government. That’s almost half of the country.”
“And this scares me, really, because I know how things work in Brazil, and I know votes are completely bought. These people are going to vote for the ones who keep their checks coming in.”
“And I feel like the same thing is happening now here in America.”
“Now, I’m going to say something that is controversial, but shouldn’t be. I don’t think these people should vote, honestly. How can you vote freely when you’re being bought?”
“Welfare was supposed to be temporary help, but it’s become a lifestyle.”
“Worse than that, it’s become a political strategy.”
“And that is not compassion.”
“That’s control disguised as kindness.”