Statement attributed to Kate Leone, Chief Government Relations Officer
“As the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States, Feeding America is relieved to see some progress on economic relief legislation in Congress. Our network of member food banks across the country are witnessing unprecedented and sustained increases in demand for charitable food assistance. As always, and especially during this crisis, the simple truth is that charity alone cannot solve food insecurity. The bipartisan bill unveiled includes investments in nutrition assistance that will help, though more relief will certainly be necessary in the very near future. Nevertheless, the Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020 represents bipartisan progress, and we ask Congress to provide this urgently needed emergency nutrition assistance for millions of people nationwide.
“Feeding America’s network of 200 member food banks and 60,000 partner food pantries and meal programs provide food assistance to meet the urgent need found in every county in this country. Families are making impossible decisions between paying the rent and putting food on the table while food banks are working tirelessly to keep up with the increased need. Communities in both red and blue states need immediate action from Congress. Legislation to increase benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and provide more nutritious food to the charitable food system through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) cannot wait. The Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020 would provide limited but immediate help to bridge the gap we face during the coming weeks.
“This short-term legislation is critical to ensuring families and children have enough to eat this holiday season. Our nation is facing unimaginable challenges, and we will need continued bipartisan congressional agreement to provide the necessary support to help families and our economy weather this unprecedented pandemic. We urge Congress to pass a stimulus relief package that will support food-insecure households and take action to ensure food banks continue to have food to help as many families in need as possible.”
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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.
