In Haverhill, Massachusetts, Leanna Nieves prepared a heartfelt Thanksgiving meal, crafting homemade macaroni and cheese for her three children, aged 9, 13, and 15. As food prices surged and her federal grocery benefits faced uncertainty, Nieves approached the dish with both passion and precision. She had previously worried there might not be a turkey this year, but the one thing her children insisted on was the macaroni and cheese. “The kids told me, we can go without a turkey, but please make mac and cheese,” she said.
Nieves, 34, spent the days leading up to Thanksgiving decorating her home, hanging balloons shaped like acorns and autumn leaves, and arranging tiny velvet pumpkins on the table. Her youngest, Olive, dressed up with a red bow in her hair, while the family cats, Luna and Cleo, joined in the festivities. Nieves’ best friend traveled from Worcester, bringing her children and a container of homemade Spanish sofrito to season various dishes. For Nieves, the day represented a pause from the daily challenges of life, allowing her family to set aside worries about rent, groceries, and car repairs.
Like approximately 42 million Americans, Nieves relies on monthly benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to cover grocery expenses. Although she did not lose her benefits during the recent government shutdown, the fear of potential cuts loomed large. “The way politics are now, you just don’t know,” Nieves reflected, emphasizing the need to prepare for future uncertainties.
Nieves grew up in Haverhill, a city of about 68,000 residents, where roughly 21%, or 14,400 people, depend on SNAP benefits. Raised by a single father who worked multiple jobs and avoided government assistance, she felt ashamed when she applied for SNAP benefits after her first child was born. “I was embarrassed,” she admitted. Despite her initial reluctance, Nieves eventually accepted the assistance as a necessity when she faced health challenges following the birth of her third child.
After being diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy, Nieves underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker. Complications led to more surgeries and time off work, resulting in her losing her job. SNAP benefits became crucial in helping her provide for her children during this time. Currently, she works part-time at a Salvation Army thrift store, where she has shopped for clothes throughout her life.
In a recent reassessment, Nieves learned that her SNAP benefits would be significantly reduced next month to $464. As grocery prices continue to rise, she has taken measures to cut back on spending, purchasing less meat and opting for more frozen vegetables. While shopping, she relied on a handwritten list, choosing store brands to keep costs down.
Standing in the grocery aisle, she searched for her preferred pasta shape, cavatappi. After a brief disappointment, she found it on a high shelf and gleefully retrieved four boxes. “My friend’s son asked if I could make ‘pounds and pounds’ of mac and cheese so he can take some home,” she shared, planning to prepare extra.
Years after overcoming her initial stigma surrounding SNAP benefits, Nieves now speaks openly about her experience, encouraging others in similar situations to seek help. “There are a lot of people in my position who feel like they’re alone,” she noted.
As Thanksgiving day faded into evening, Nieves unveiled the macaroni and cheese, placing the steaming casserole on the kitchen island. While the golden-brown turkey looked appealing, her children remained focused on their coveted dish. Reflecting on the challenges she faced, Nieves found a renewed sense of gratitude. The recent threat to her food assistance benefits sharpened her awareness of what truly matters: family and friendships.
“It’s a reminder to appreciate what you do have, things you can still work with,” she said. “Your family, your friends. They’re not going to be shut down. They will still be here.”
