Advocates Lobby To Save Hunger Programs From Budget Ax

By Josef Kuhn
Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS) Anti-hunger advocates are racing to save federal programs that feed needy families from being automatically slashed if Congress can't agree on a deficit reduction plan this fall.

As Congress resumes deficit-reduction talks this month, advocates for the poor worry that programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will suffer drastic cuts and hurt families that are already struggling.

One in five Americans receives SNAP benefits.

"Despite major gains made for hungry and poor people in 2010, millions of households are still struggling to put food on the table," said Rev. David Beckmann, president of the ecumenical anti-hunger group Bread for the World.

Congress's Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction -- commonly known as the "Super Committee" -- must agree on deficit reduction measures by Nov. 23 or automatic across-the-board cuts will be implemented.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Wednesday (Sept. 7) that 59 percent of all "food-insecure" households in 2010 participated in at least one of the three largest nutrition assistance programs.

USDA also reports increased participation in these programs in recent years due to high unemployment.

USDA data show that 14.5 percent of U.S. households suffered from food insecurity in 2010, a figure that's been virtually unchanged for the past three years.

"The fact that the overall figures remain unchanged but SNAP participation is at an all-time high speaks to the necessity of
safety-net programs," added Beckman. "The Bible calls on us to protect the 'least of these.'"

Comments

[dwight who]

01:30 AM on 09/13/2011

cynic walks into a room, sees flowers on a table and asks, "Who died?"

[sweetlilthing]

06:06 PM on 09/12/2011

Bread for the World is a very successful org. and they do good work feeding the hungry, however they still preach their ministry to these poor people. As long as the money comes from churches no one can protest. The problem is when it's taxpayers money or elected officials who are on the taxpayers dime and are working with or funding a religious org.

[Cindbird]

12:59 AM on 09/13/2011

I guess you missed the Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the White House? Originally set up by President Bush? They are supposed to find ways to get the faith-based community to fill in the gaps in programs for people in need. I just wish they had included Buddhists in that group. It seems to be Christians, Jews and Muslims.

[sunshine14]

12:20 PM on 09/13/2011

Do not forget those also give greatly and are non believers, not just Christians, Jews and Muslims. But all among us, give great support, serve, help toward the care and needs of other human beings.

[eddy joe]

11:33 AM on 09/12/2011

Will the people that always attack religion attack this too, or will they help?

[eastfernstreet]

02:01 PM on 09/12/2011

Depends what you mean by "this". If you mean will I attack the fact that a few religious people are finally willing to stand up to their conservative overlords and defend what their religion actually says: no. If you mean will I attack the fact that it's so few of the overwhelmingly conservative Republican religious people whose policies are largely responsible for creating this mess are doing so, then yes. It should be a no-brainer for ANY person claiming to be even marginally associated with Christianity to put the needs of poor, hungry people before all else. What took so long?

[eddy joe]

04:45 PM on 09/12/2011

Doing the will of God comes before anyone...including children. You didn't read the story where Abraham ws told to kill his son?

[Cindbird]

01:00 AM on 09/13/2011

It depends on whether or not it is just Christians and doesn't include all religions which are involved in this type of work.

[Mensch99]

09:08 AM on 09/10/2011

So, food for hungry children is a bargaining chip in negotiations to reduce the deficit?

Here’s an idea:

Tax the Rich!
End the Wars!

[Flying Sparkz1]

05:30 PM on 09/11/2011

But who will determine who's rich and who's hungry?

[eddy joe]

04:40 PM on 09/13/2011

I think where, and how they live will be a good starting point.

[eastfernstreet]

02:03 PM on 09/12/2011

Chips? I love chips. Pass the salsa -- and get those darned poor, hungry kids outta here. They're spoiling my appetite.