House Resolution Affirms Importance of SNAP

DeEtte Peck uses her EBT card in Portland, OR, to purchase food. Photo by Brian Duss.

As the House begins to consider the FY 2013 budget, members of Congress have been circulating a resolution, H.R. 564, that affirms the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). Led by Rep. Schakowsky, the resolution has been signed by 43 co-sponsors in the House and declares the critical importance of SNAP.

We are encouraged to see that members of the House are publicly acknowledging SNAP as “effective and efficient, as evidenced by the facts that every $1 in benefits generates $1.72 in economic activity; each $1 billion in SNAP funding supports 3,300 farm jobs; and the SNAP payment error rate is at an all-time low and compares equally or favorably to any other Federal program … .”

Nutrition programs such as SNAP provide vital assistance. While poverty and unemployment have risen the last three years, programs such as SNAP have kept household hunger rates from increasing further. These programs are working as they were intended.

Let’s continue to send letters, emails, make phone calls, and visit our members of Congress and encourage them to create a circle of protection around funding for vital domestic nutrition programs that meet the needs of millions of American families. Join our efforts by conducting an Offering of Letters in your church or community.

Jeannie Choi is associate editor at Bread for the World. Follow her on Twitter @jeanniechoi.