Food for the Poor

Future funding levels for food programs are being debated in Congress right now, and there has been a worrisome development.

First of all, the Bush Administration has proposed cutting funding to CSFP, a supplemental food program that provides food for low-income seniors. Just here at St. Margaret's, about 125 seniors are assisted every month through the program.

The Administration actually proposed the cut last year as well, but Congress maintained funding.

The Farm Bill is also being debated in Congress right now. Among other things, the Farm Bill provides funding for food programs like Food Stamps and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP). The funding level for the next five years is being debated. Food Banks are asking for an increase in funding because the USDA hasn't been supplementing the EFAP program at the level that they used to. There are reports that new policies being debated may cut many people off of food stamps as well.

Our food programs (at the charity I work for) rely heavily on CSFP and EFAP, and many of our clients also rely on food stamps. Please spread the word on the need for these programs, and think about calling your congressman and/or senator to let your voice on the issue be heard.

For more information on CSFP, see this America's Second Harvest press release. For more information on the Farm Bill and how to be active in it, see the FRAC web site.