Feeding America Responds To Passage Of House Bill Cutting $39 Billion From SNAP

Statement Attributable to Bob Aiken, CEO

CHICAGO, Sept. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Feeding America is deeply disappointed that the House today passed a bill that will cut $39 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), resulting in more than 1.5 billion meals lost in fiscal year 2014.[1]

"Charity absolutely cannot make up for this substantial cut to federal food assistance. Millions of our most vulnerable neighbors will be at increased risk of hunger if these cuts  become a reality.

"The legislation will cause at least four million individuals to lose their SNAP benefits entirely, 850,000 households will lose an average $90 per month in SNAP benefits, and 210,000 children will lose free school meals.

"These cuts to SNAP, combined with the scheduled American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) cuts to the program—scheduled to go into effect on Nov. 1, 2013—will result in the loss of about 3.4 billion meals provided to low-income Americans in 2014. That is more meals that the entire Feeding America Network of 200 food banks distributed through 61,000 food pantries and soup kitchens in 2013.

"Feeding America will continue our efforts to work with both parties to protect federal anti-hunger programs like SNAP from cuts and harmful policy changes."

About Feeding America

Feeding America is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate.  Together we can solve hunger.Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

[1] Lost meals calculated using average cost of a meal ($2.67) from Feeding America's annual Map the Meal Gap report.

Contact:
Ross Fraser
312.307.8470

SOURCE Feeding America