On December 12, 2016, the SNAP Coalition sent this open letter to Massachusetts lawmakers urging them to protect SNAP and other anti-hunger programs in the coming months. The letter was co-signed by 103 organizations in the state. We were proud to add our signature and show our support for these vital programs that help so many people in our communities. Kudos to the entire SNAP Coalition for reminding our Congressional delegation about what’s important, and especially to Pat Baker and Vicky Negus for all their organizing around it.
An Open Letter to Members of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation
December 12, 2016
Dear Senate and House Members of the Massachusetts Delegation:
The undersigned organizations write to thank you for your unwavering support of federal nutrition programs and to urge your resolve to protect and defend these programs against eligibility restrictions and benefits cuts in 2017 and beyond. While we often pay special attention to alleviating hunger during the holiday season, hunger is a year-round phenomenon for children, low wage working families, seniors and persons with disabilities. In fact, childhood hunger spikes in the summer (when school is out). Our elder and disabled residents face hunger when they must choose between paying for heat or food, or getting medical treatment. Low-wage working families need nutrition supports to make ends meet. Addressing hunger must be a year-round cause built on the bedrock of the nation’s commitment to ending hunger.
There are far too many people in this country – 42 million, including 13 million children – living in households struggling with hunger. USDA’s Economic Research Service reports that that 9.7% of the Massachusetts population suffers from food insecurity. Feeding America reports that 1 in 9 Massachusetts residents use feeding programs, but our local food pantries and congregate meal programs report they are already at capacity and cannot absorb any federal cuts.
This problem would be far, far worse were it not for the nation’s profoundly successful and cost-effective anti-hunger programs: SNAP (food stamps), school breakfast and lunch, the Child and Adult Care Food Program that pays for children’s nutrition in child care, Head Start, afterschool programs and shelters, summer food programs, WIC and TEFAP (emergency food).
We give thanks for these national nutrition programs that reduce hunger and poverty, improve health and learning, improve productivity, create jobs and economic growth, and strengthen our communities. These programs help one in nine people in rural, urban, and suburban areas of Massachusetts including low income seniors, children, people with disabilities, veterans and active duty military families, low-paid workers, unemployed and underemployed adults.
Shortly after the holiday season ends, the new Congress and President-elect Trump will be sworn in and begin making key decisions.
We call on our Massachusetts Delegation to stand together to reject cuts or structural constraints (block grants) to our nation’s core anti-hunger programs including SNAP, NSLP, WIC, TEFAP and CACFP. These critical programs are based upon deep and long-standing bipartisan support – rooted in the prevailing notion that nobody in our nation should go hungry. We urge the Massachusetts Delegation to do everything in its power to protect and defend these federal nutrition programs, ensure they are fully funded and take steps to assure that all hungry people in our country have access to the nutrition they need to live a healthy, active life. We stand ready to work with you to achieve this goal.
Sincerely,
Massachusetts SNAP Coalition and 103 state, regional and local organizations
See the full letter with the list of organizations who signed on in support at the link below.
Protect Federal Nutrition Programs – Letter to Mass Delegation 12-12-16
