Help Stop Cuts to Food Programs!
Call your senator and congressional rep today and tell them to
Stop Cuts to Food Programs
Last week, the Trump administration released its budget proposal which contains deep cuts to several food programs. These programs form a vital backbone to the effort to end hunger among our neighbors. The Trump budget proposal cuts:
- $193 billion from SNAP which helps families and individuals put food on the table
- $32 million from TEFAP (the USDA program that supplies about 25% of the food distributed by food banks)
- $40 billion from the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, vital programs for working families
You know what that means, right?
Check out the Action Alert sent out by the Worcester County Food Bank, included in full below. It contains more information, as well as a link to help you find your Senator and Rep’s contact info, and a sample script to help you get your talking points in order. And we’re pulling this out of the letter because it’s important!
Even if you know or believe your Congressperson opposes the proposed budget cuts, they need to hear from their constituents (you!). Please call or email, and if they tell you that they already oppose these cuts, then THANK them.
Hunger Action Alert!
Help stop damaging budget cuts!
Call your Congressperson and Senator and ask them to stop Trump’s budget cuts!
On Tuesday, May 23, President Trump released his budget proposal that contains many extreme cuts that would drastically increase hunger in Central Massachusetts, including:
- $193 billion from SNAP (formerly food stamps)
- $32 million from TEFAP (the USDA program that supplies 25% of the food we distribute).
- $40 billion from the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, vital programs for working families.
Here’s how YOU can help:
- Find your Congressperson
- Call or email and let them know you oppose these harmful cuts
- Let us know you took action! Email or tweet at us!
Scroll down for sample phone or email script.
Here are some more details:
1. SNAP
75% of SNAP recipients in Massachusetts are kids, elderly, or disabled.
The budget proposes significant cuts to SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which is the largest federal nutrition program, providing food to millions of Americans each year. The proposed budget cuts SNAP by $193 billion over 10 years and makes harmful policy changes to achieve those cuts, including reducing eligibility and benefits and shifting significant costs to the states. In Massachusetts this would mean $297 million in additional expenses each year, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
2. TEFAP
25% of the food we distribute comes from TEFAP (USDA).
The budget also makes cuts to other nutrition programs, including the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), recommending a $32 million cut in funding for TEFAP in FY2018. TEFAP is a significant source of food for WCFB and our Partner Agencies. Last year, 20% of the food we distributed was TEFAP, equaling more than 1.6 million meals for our neighbors in need.
3. Tax Credits
This program has supported over 430,000 Massachusetts families in the most recent year.
The budget proposes reducing the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit by $40.4 billion over 10 years, thereby decreasing the amount of money working families have to pay for food, heat, medicine, and other necessities.
Here’s a sample script to adapt for phone or email:
Dear Congressperson ______________,
My name is ___________ and I live in ___________/work for ___________ and we serve many people who live in the Congressperson’s district. I am calling/emailing to express my concern over the President’s proposed budget cuts to SNAP, TEFAP, and EITC. What is the Congressperson’s take on these proposed cuts?
Thank you for your consideration.
Even if you know or believe your Congressperson opposes the proposed budget cuts, they need to hear from their constituents (you!). Please call or email, and if they tell you that they already oppose these cuts, then THANK them.
