[Action Alert] Ask Congress to Protect SNAP!

Congress’ Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Super Committee” or “Committee of 12”) has to produce a plan to reduce the deficit by $1.5 trillion by November 23rd. Anti-hunger advocates are deeply concerned that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) might be targeted for massive funding cuts or structural changes that could result in enrollment being capped and many struggling with hunger being kicked off the program. These changes would hurt the families still feeling the effects of the recession and the nearly 49 million Americans who lived in households struggling with hunger in 2010.

Hazon has partnered with Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Fighting Poverty with Faith to speak out in defense of this incredibly successful safety net program. Please contact your Members of Congress today.

Use the letter below, or use this form to email your letter.

Letter:

Dear Member of Congress,

I am writing to you as a constituent and as a participant in “Fighting Poverty with Faith,” a national interfaith, anti-poverty mobilization focused this year on ending hunger in America.

I strongly urge you to oppose any deficit reduction measures that result in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). Cuts to SNAP could weaken the structure of the program and result in cuts in participation or reductions in benefits at a time when millions of Americans continue to be at risk of hunger. SNAP is an incredibly successful program that reduces hunger and food insecurity by providing very low-income people critically needed, targeted assistance to purchase food. In a September 2011 report the U.S. Census Bureau stated that 3.9 million people (including 1.7 million children) were prevented from falling into poverty by SNAP. The SNAP program is important to addressing the national response to hunger and makes a difference in the lives of those who struggle daily with food insecurity, not knowing where their next meal will come from.  While today’s hunger statistics are staggering, we must remember that they represent children, single parents, seniors, and families living in communities across the country and that they deserve our best thinking about how to dramatically reduce or eliminate hunger in America. 

As Proverbs 31:8-9 states, “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and the needy.” I urge you to defend those in need by protecting SNAP against funding cuts and structural changes in any budget and deficit reduction legislation.

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One Response to [Action Alert] Ask Congress to Protect SNAP!

  1. Noam N. Kogen November 2, 2011 at 8:00 am #

    Please pass this bill post haste.

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