In Tucson, Kelly Visits Community Food Bank to Hear from Arizonans Impacted by SNAP Cuts

Kelly also toured the Tucson Fire Department with Mayor Regina Romero and Chief Sharon McDonough, the first woman to lead the department Kelly checked in with Boca Tacos owner and chef Maria Mazon on rising costs Kelly delivered remarks at the University of Arizona’s ceremony to name its Integrated Business and Engineering Program Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly visited the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to pack food boxes and hear directly from staff, volunteers, and families about the surge in demand for food driven by Republican cuts to SNAP and rising costs. Republicans’ SNAP cuts have placed a growing strain on Arizona food banks after the passage of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July. Kelly has been a vocal critic of the legislation, warning from the start that its steep cuts to SNAP and health care would come at the expense of working families in favor of tax cuts for billionaires. This proved to be true as SNAP cuts and rising costs are making it harder for Arizonans to put food on the table. During a roundtable at the food bank, Kelly heard from Terra, a Tucson resident who lost her SNAP benefits after she was unable to meet the work requirement. Terra told Kelly that a disability makes it difficult for her to work even the roughly 60 hours a month she currently does, but she would need to work about 80 hours to qualify for SNAP. After four applications this year and repeated difficulties getting an interview, Terra said she now relies on the Community Food Bank and other food banks to get by. Sen. Kelly joins volunteers at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Kelly also heard from Norah, a student parent at Pima Community College who described SNAP as a bridge while she goes to school, raises her son, and works toward greater financial stability. Norah receives about $500 a month in SNAP for herself and her son but told Kelly that even that amount has become tight as grocery prices rise. Food bank staff told Kelly these stories are part of a broader increase in need. They are seeing more people who have not traditionally needed food assistance, including working teachers, students, seniors, veterans, and active-duty servicemembers. Staff said the need among military families has grown enough that they are working with partners to establish a pantry on a local military base. Later in the day, Kelly and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero toured the Tucson Fire Department’s Central Station and met with Chief Sharon McDonough, the first woman to serve as Fire Chief in Tucson’s history. During their visit, they learned more about the department’s innovative Peak Volume Emergency Truck program . Kelly has recommended $1.3 million in FY27 federal funding for new ambulances and medical response vehicles for the department, which responded to more than 166,000 calls in 2025. Sen. Kelly tours the Tucson Fire Department with Mayor Romero and Chief McDonough. For lunch, Kelly stopped by Boca Tacos and talked to Maria Mazon, founder, owner, and executive chef of the restaurant. They discussed how rising costs are squeezing her business and how Tucson’s small business community is adapting and finding ways to keep moving forward. Sen. Kelly talks to Chef Maria Mazon at Boca Tacos in Tucson. Kelly also delivered remarks at the University of Arizona’s launch of the Mary and Felipe M. Rodriguez Integrated Business and Engineering Program, Arizona’s only undergraduate program blending engineering and business education. Drawing on his background as a Navy pilot and NASA astronaut, he spoke about the importance of the next generation of leaders understanding both technology and business. Sen. Kelly delivers remarks at the University of Arizona’s Rodriguez Integrated Business and Engineering Program launch.