Attributed to Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America
“The House Budget Committee’s passage of its FY 2018 budget resolution includes at least $203 billion in required cuts to mandatory programs – programs that provide critical benefits to low-income families and individuals. Specifically, the committee calls for $10 billion in required cuts from the agriculture budget, with an additional $150 billion in suggested cuts from dramatic downsizing and restructuring of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While Feeding America recognizes the need for fiscal responsibility, this ultimately will make it harder for people to maintain the nutrition and supports they need to find and keep good paying jobs.
“SNAP provides a vital tool to working families, helping them bridge the gap between food needs and available resources. Across the country, nearly 42 million Americans benefit from nutrition assistance. SNAP, along with food banks, local soup kitchens, afterschool programs and churches, strengthens communities and puts families on the pathway to success. Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP gives hardworking families the fuel and nutrition they need to make a living.
“It is critical that we not pull the rug out from under individuals and families as they find their footing. While we remain committed to working with members from both sides of the aisle—particularly House Agriculture Committee members in the upcoming farm bill—to find a solution that keeps SNAP intact, we respectfully urge the full House to reject the budget resolution when it comes to the floor, in the interest of preventing hunger in the United States.”
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About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
