MANNA FoodBank is outraged by the vote by the House Agriculture Committee to slash hunger relief spending by $16 billion. MANNA FoodBank and other local charities are already stretched to the breaking point trying to keep up with increased need as families in our state continue to feel the impact of the recession. Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or food stamps, also referred to as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS in North Carolina) would be devastating to our community, and it will be impossible for us to be able to make up the difference.

“Taking care of our neighbors is an American value, and feeding our neighbors is a shared responsibility." “Every day MANNA FoodBank sees this partnership reflected in the generous support of our volunteers and donors. But charity alone cannot meet the need. We also need a strong federal commitment to SNAP and other hunger relief programs.”

“While we can all agree that jobs are the best antidote to hunger, until our economy recovers and jobs and opportunity are restored, families still need to put food on the table,” Threlkeld continued “Cutting SNAP at a time when the need for food assistance has never been greater is both reckless and short-sighted.”

SNAP benefits average less than $1.50 per person per meal, and over 90 percent of benefits are spent by day 21 of the month, leaving many families to turn to local charities to make ends meet. SNAP is targeted at our most vulnerable: 55 percent of SNAP households include a person under 18 or over 60 years of age and 85 percent have gross income at or below 100 percent of the poverty line.

“Deficit reduction is an important national priority, but it must not be undertaken without regard to our national values and it must not come at the expense of our most vulnerable.” Threlkeld said. “On behalf of MANNA FoodBank, I urge Representatives Shuler and McHenry to oppose cuts to hunger relief programs in the House Farm Bill and to work to restore the cuts on the House floor.”

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