As America struggles to pull itself out of a devastating economic slump, 48 million of us have just had their chances of survival pushed even farther down. The average food-stamp cut of $36 a month (for a family of four) doesn’t seem like much to some of us. But how many of us could adequately feed our family on $632 a month? (If you think you spend less, save your receipts for a month and add them up.)
SNAP—the largest anti-hunger program in our country—affects many people. Those receiving food stamps can provide food for themselves and their families, nourishment that helps children learn in school, parents to keep up strength for jobs, and bodies to remain healthier. These people also shop at dollar stores, discount grocery stores, and the like; spending less hits those businesses hard. Other businesses are hurt, as well, because food comes first and “extras” like clothing and household goods come second.
SNAP was raised in 2009 to help meet the needs of vulnerable Americans who lost their jobs and were otherwise caught in the terrible recession. That was the humane action to take. Yes, the recession is over, but our recovery is not. If we are to recover fully we should not reduce SNAP. We need to give all of our citizens a chance to fight their way from the economic edge. Now is NOT the time to pull the rug out from under their feet. Besides, feeding the poor is the moral thing to do.