Feeding America Statement on Report That Nearly Half of All American Children Will Receive SNAP (Food Stamps)

Feeding America Statement on Report That Nearly Half of All American Children
Will Receive SNAP (Food Stamps)

CHICAGO, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement can be
attributed to Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America:

"Today, more than ever in our country's recent history, the current economic
downturn is affecting a cross-section of American families beyond those
traditionally categorized as relying on food-stamps assistance. Feeding
America has long recognized that hunger abides by no fixed rules and can touch
any family at any time, for a variety of reasons.

"Connecting families seeking emergency food assistance with Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is a top priority for Feeding
America and we applaud any study that brings attention to the issue of hunger
in America. The Washington University report underscores that SNAP is the
first line of defense against hunger in America, and we share the researchers
concerns that millions more individuals and families are eligible for the
program than one year ago because of the continued weakening economy.

"The report also reinforces the startling statistic that while only 66 percent
of people who are eligible for the program are currently participating, the
number of people receiving benefits is at an all time high of more than 35
million people, up 22 percent over a year prior.

"Feeding America commends Congress and the Administration for its diligent
efforts in helping low-income Americans put food on the table by providing the
largest increase in the history of the SNAP program through the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act. However, the sheer number of people receiving
benefits today is tragic and there is much work to be done. We must continue
to ensure that low-income families have access to this critical safety net so
that they do not go hungry.

"Feeding America will continue to work closely with our partners at USDA to
ensure that the public and charitable sectors are keeping pace - as best we
can - with the dramatically increasing needs for food assistance."

SOURCE Feeding America

Paula Thornton Greear, +1-312-641-5663, Ross Fraser, +1-312-641-6422,
fraser@feedingamerica.org, both of Feeding America