McDowell County, West Virginia, birthplace of food stamps, faces a disappearing safety net

UNDATED-AP- Nonprofits in McDowell County, West Virginia, face severe challenges due to federal funding cuts. Once a thriving coal hub, the county now struggles with poverty, with over one-third of residents living below the poverty line. Many rely on federal programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance, which are being reduced under recent policies. Nonprofits, already operating on slim margins, are laying off staff or dipping into reserves to survive. Cuts to rural water and internet programs further strain the community, leaving basic needs unmet. Advocates warn these reductions could devastate the region, where federal support is a critical lifeline.