FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alisa Costa (518) 436-8757 x 122
alisa.costa@hungersolutionsny.org
April 18, 2012 Albany, NY -- More than 160 New York State organizations sent a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urging her to strengthen and protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in New York as the Food Stamp Program, in the upcoming reauthorization of the Farm Bill.
The letter, circulated by Hunger Solutions New York, was delivered to Senator Gillibrand today, and included signers from a number of anti-hunger groups, anti-poverty advocates, and other allies.
“When our economy is in trouble, the Food Stamp Program is there to help people put food on the table. Cuts to this important program would be disastrous for people in New York State,” said Linda Bopp, executive director at Hunger Solutions New York. “We recognize the important leadership role that Senator Gillibrand has within the Senate Agriculture Committee and we greatly appreciate her willingness to fight for our most vulnerable residents.”
More than 3 million New York State residents receive food stamp benefits, an increase driven by a slowly recovering economy that continues to leave many without work or with reduced wages. Bopp noted that the Food Stamp Program’s responsiveness to unemployment and underemployment proved it to be one of the most effective safety net programs, providing families with a stable source of food.
Americans also recognize the strengths of this program. A January poll conducted by Hart Research for the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) demonstrated broad support among Americans for the federal nutrition programs and opposition to cuts. Seven in 10 voters said the federal government should have a major role in ensuring that low-income families and children have the food and nutrition they need. Seventy-seven percent of voters said that cutting SNAP would be the wrong way to reduce government spending.
“Households are facing impossible choices among food, home heating, gasoline, rent, medicine and other basic needs. Cutting SNAP would have real consequences for these struggling households, forcing them to make even harder decisions between food for their families or paying bills,” said Bopp. “SNAP is a program that is important for New York State and for the nation, and it must be strengthened and supported so it can be there when people need it the most.”
Contact: Alisa Costa (518) 436-8757 x 122
alisa.costa@hungersolutionsny.org
April 18, 2012 Albany, NY -- More than 160 New York State organizations sent a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urging her to strengthen and protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in New York as the Food Stamp Program, in the upcoming reauthorization of the Farm Bill.
The letter, circulated by Hunger Solutions New York, was delivered to Senator Gillibrand today, and included signers from a number of anti-hunger groups, anti-poverty advocates, and other allies.
“When our economy is in trouble, the Food Stamp Program is there to help people put food on the table. Cuts to this important program would be disastrous for people in New York State,” said Linda Bopp, executive director at Hunger Solutions New York. “We recognize the important leadership role that Senator Gillibrand has within the Senate Agriculture Committee and we greatly appreciate her willingness to fight for our most vulnerable residents.”
More than 3 million New York State residents receive food stamp benefits, an increase driven by a slowly recovering economy that continues to leave many without work or with reduced wages. Bopp noted that the Food Stamp Program’s responsiveness to unemployment and underemployment proved it to be one of the most effective safety net programs, providing families with a stable source of food.
Americans also recognize the strengths of this program. A January poll conducted by Hart Research for the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) demonstrated broad support among Americans for the federal nutrition programs and opposition to cuts. Seven in 10 voters said the federal government should have a major role in ensuring that low-income families and children have the food and nutrition they need. Seventy-seven percent of voters said that cutting SNAP would be the wrong way to reduce government spending.
“Households are facing impossible choices among food, home heating, gasoline, rent, medicine and other basic needs. Cutting SNAP would have real consequences for these struggling households, forcing them to make even harder decisions between food for their families or paying bills,” said Bopp. “SNAP is a program that is important for New York State and for the nation, and it must be strengthened and supported so it can be there when people need it the most.”
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