GASTONIA, N.C.-- Controversial proposed changes to the federal food snap program could affect thousands in the Charlotte region.
President Donald Trump is proposing millions of dollars of cuts, including replacing EBT cards with a federally-funded meal prep program akin to Blue Apron.
The Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services is still analyzing the Trump administration's proposal and how it could affect people in the county, but people aren't waiting to share their opinions.
Gastonia resident Belva Crowe believes the changes will reduce food stamp fraud.
"I don't want kids going hungry because somebody else is buying their parents food stamps so they can go out and buy drugs with them,"Crowe said.
Critics call the changes costly and cruel, and they argue it will negatively affect those in dire need of assistance.
"I don't think it's fair," Gabrielle Todd said. "Especially for students, people who serve this country, disabled people who don't have any say so or don't have any way of working."
The Trump administration also proposed that those receiving food stamps who can work should prove they're employed.
North Carolina already implemented a similar requirement two years ago by requiring food stamp recipients to prove they're employed, going to school or volunteering 20 hours a week unless they received a waiver.
Congress will have ultimate say on whether President Trump's proposals become law.