Religious leaders are among those criticizing new cuts to the U.S. food stamp program that took effect November 1. For months, faith-based groups have warned this would hurt struggling Americans and strain the resources of charities that help the poor. The new cuts, which total $5 billion over the next year, affect nearly 48 million Americans who receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Next week, Congress will debate making even larger cuts over the next decade.