New Year, Same Ask – Tell Congress to Help Feed Those in Need

Update: The House of Representatives passed the 4th COVID relief bill early Saturday morning that included additional funding for food assistance programs like SNAP and PEBT.

Last year, we saw Congress pass three different bills tackling the lasting and chilling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on families throughout the nation. This year, we have a fourth COVID-19 relief act to address the increase in hunger seen by all communities.

Second Harvest Food Bank, along with our sister food banks in the Feeding America network, are advocating to Congress to have keep those in need top of mind as negotiations begin. According to the Federal Reserve, 40 percent of Americans do not have enough cash on hand to cover a $400 emergency expense. The economic impact of the pandemic on households is devastating, and we are witnessing this in our own backyards.

To ensure no one goes hungry during, or after, the spread of COVID-19, our nation needs the help of both a strong charitable system and a deep government investment in the nation’s federal nutrition programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). We are encouraging you to contact your Congressional member and tell them to vote yes on the next COVID relief act if it includes the following:

SNAP increase by 15 percent for the duration of the economic downturn to provide critical food assistance and promote economic stimulus
Increase funding for food purchases to support food banks through TEFAP
Extend and expand the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program to ensure this program goes through summer and can provide food during future school closures
Invest in the nation’s charitable food systems by building cold storage and their transportation capacity

An increase of 15 percent in SNAP benefits will help food banks meet the growing and unprecedented demand. For every meal that food banks, like Second Harvest Food Bank, put out into the community, SNAP puts out the equivalent of 9 meals!

When everyone has enough to eat, we are all better off.