Many of us are fortunate to not have to worry about where our next meal will come from. But I pay attention to what’s going on in the world around and I also think about what would happen if my husband lost his job, became sick or we were unable to provide for our son. Becoming a parent has made me much more aware of how things affect children and their lives all over the world. Every parent does their to best to meet their children’s needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, education and positive social experiences.
No child should have to go hungry.
Today I’m encouraging my friends to write their Congressmen and ask them to Protect SNAP Funding in the Farm Bill with my friends Share our Strength® to spread its No Kid Hungry® message.
Why Should You Care About Federal Nutritional Programs?
Federal nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been put into place to help out during those times of need. Ensuring our children have enough to eat must be a priority for our nation.
Members of Congress are working to reauthorize the Farm Bill, legislation that provides funding for the SNAP program and for the SNAP education program. Drastic cuts to SNAP are on the table for the Farm Bill, and nearly half of all SNAP participants are children. If Congress cuts funding for this poverty-‐relieving program, it will affect millions of children and families, leaving them even more vulnerable to hunger.
As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, we cannot afford to let our children go hungry.
Farm Bill & SNAP Overview:
- This spring and summer, members of Congress will be working on the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, legislation that provides funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, and the largest nutrition program in the Farm Bill.
- SNAP helps struggling families buy more food and fresh vegetables to feed their kids.
- SNAP faces potentially devastating cuts in the Farm Bill. These cuts could reduce, or even eliminate, millions of Americans’ access to SNAP benefits, forcing families across the country to go hungry.
- SNAP also provides important economic benefits to communities across the country. For every SNAP dollar spent, $1.79 is returned to the economy. As our economy slowly begins to recover, now is not the time to cut programs that help local businesses and families.
- A family of 4 making less than $23,000 net income qualifies for SNAP.
Quick Hunger Facts:
- 1 in 5 kids in America doesn’t get enough to eat.
- Nearly 50% of SNAP participants are children.
- More than 46 million Americans – a majority of whom are seniors, children, or people with disabilities -‐ rely on SNAP to feed their families.
- The average monthly SNAP benefit = $1.48 per meal
- More than two-‐thirds of the funds in the most recent Farm Bill help feed these hungry kids through Federal Nutrition Programs.
Support the Farm Bill and No Kid Hungry® by visiting http://nokidhungry.org/farmbill to send a message to Congress, share your story or make a pledge.
About Share Our Strength
Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Through its No Kid Hungry® campaign -‐ a national effort to end childhood hunger in America -‐ Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs; invests in community organizations fighting hunger; teaches families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and builds public-‐private partnerships to end childhood hunger, at the state and city level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry. Visit Strength.org.
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Lisa is a lifestyle blogger, writer and social media strategist living in Charlotte, NC. 
