Statement Attributable to Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America:
“Feeding America congratulates the winners of yesterday’s election. We urge all of our elected officials on both sides of the aisle, including new and returning to office, to work together to address the needs of the 42 million Americans currently living on the brink of hunger.
“We ask our leaders to keep the federal nutrition safety net strong and intact, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as food stamps), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Federal nutrition programs like these provide an essential lifeline for children, families, and low-income Americans.
“Ensuring that our neighbors—and everyone who lives in this country—have enough to eat on a daily basis is a basic American value. It is also a responsibility that must be shared by us all.
“The first order of business Congress should face when they reconvene later this month is to pass a strong child nutrition reauthorization bill.
“This legislation will make the strongest improvements to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in the program’s 41-year history. Child hunger increases during the summer months because low-income children do not have access to meal assistance when school is out.
“New statistics released by the USDA in September state that 13 million children in America under the age of 18 are food insecure. That’s 13 million children too many. We can make significant progress toward meeting the nutritional needs of those children with bipartisan support for and the passage of new child nutrition legislation.”
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About Feeding America
Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America unites the country ensuring everyone has access to food and a thriving future. We support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, we are one of the nation’s most effective food distribution systems driving immediate impact today—and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters united with the unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.