Statement Attributed to Kate Leone, Chief Government Relations Officer
"We are disappointed that Senate leadership is scheduling a vote on a bill that does not include a 15 percent increase in the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit. The simple fact is that for every meal the Feeding America network of 200 food banks and 60,000 partner pantries and meal sites provides, SNAP provides nine. As the largest hunger-relief organization in the country, we see each day the increase in families coming to our food banks for help during this pandemic and severe economic downturn. We know that we will not be able to provide enough meals for families in need without more support from federal nutrition programs like SNAP.
"Our research shows that this year an estimated 54 million people in our country may not know where their next meal will come from – including one in four children. Any stimulus proposal that does not include an increase in the SNAP benefit falls short of what is necessary to help families facing hunger. When more than 55 million people have filed for unemployment since the start of the pandemic and food prices are at a 50-year high, it is unconscionable that Senate leadership is not trying to urgently deal with this hunger crisis. We call on our congressional and administration leaders to come together and find common ground on a stimulus package that increases SNAP, so families are not forced to choose between paying the rent and putting food on the table."
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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.
