Nation's Largest Hunger Relief Organization Responds to State of the Union Address

Statement attributable to Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America

CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America, about President Barack Obama's State of the Union address:

"President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union address tonight that it is time for our nation's leaders to make tough choices regarding spending cuts, tax increases, and balancing the Federal budget. Ensuring our country's long-term economic stability and prosperity is in all of our interests, and Feeding America urges the President and Congress to keep first and foremost in their minds the needs of our most vulnerable Americans as decisions are made about our national priorities.

"One of the most effective and efficient ways to help families who are struggling economically is through SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) and other Federal nutrition programs that help feed children, seniors, the unemployed and the homeless. In addition to meeting our moral obligation to help the more than 50 million Americans who do not always know where they will find their next meal, Federal nutrition programs yield an economic pay-off by reinvesting in local communities and America's agriculture economy.

"One in eight Americans visits their food bank each year, many of whom are also enrolled in programs like SNAP and WIC and who would go hungry if nutrition assistance were cut. We cannot and we must not balance the Federal budget on the backs of poor and hungry people. Federal nutrition programs and other assistance for low-income Americans must be safeguarded from budget cuts."

SOURCE Feeding America