Attributed to Kate Leone, Chief Government Relations Officer
“The House of Representatives’ passage of a continuing resolution (CR) that extends several key federal nutrition programs and ensures the government is funded until December 11 is a positive step forward for millions of families struggling with hunger in this country. As the largest hunger-relief organization in the nation, we know families are looking for assurance that they can put food on the table during this difficult time. This bill will help to lessen some families’ concerns over how they will access their next meal, but more nutrition assistance is necessary. The most important thing Congress and the administration can do to help our neighbors facing hunger is to increase benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and we are eager for further action.
“We are pleased that the CR extends and improves Pandemic EBT (P-EBT), a program that provide families an EBT card with the monetary value of school meals when schools are closed or disrupted due to COVID-19. The bill importantly expands P-EBT to Puerto Rico and the US territories, providing critical resources to those areas where the government has historically underfunded nutrition assistance. The bill also provides critical flexibilities for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to safely keep eligible families enrolled, and extends USDA’s authority to provide child nutrition waivers for school meals programs to make it easier for more families to get the meals they need. We call on USDA to use this authority to extend child nutrition and other program waivers for the entire school year to help people facing hunger and ensure our food bank network is able to reach more children in need during the pandemic.
“Despite these positive provisions, the extensions of the federal nutrition programs in the CR do not go far enough to address increased food prices and the additional need our network is seeing on the ground. Congress and the administration must still agree on a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package that includes an increase to the maximum SNAP benefit by 15 percent for the duration of the economic downturn. At a time when food prices are at an all-time high, an increase in SNAP benefits will provide vital relief to the millions of families choosing between paying bills and putting food on the table and will provide a needed economic boost as benefits are spent at local grocery stores.
“We urge Congress and the administration to work expeditiously to address the growing hunger crisis.”
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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.