July 29, 2005

Noting that more than half of U.S. Food Stamp recipients are children, the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) is calling on Americans to urge lawmakers to protect this program in the face of upcoming federal budget cuts.

The Congressional Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2006 passed in May requires the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to cut $3 billion from programs under their jurisdiction by September 16, EPPN reports. Food Stamps is one of those programs.

Maureen Shea, director of the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations in Washington, D.C., met July 28 with Senators and religious and other groups concerned about social safety net issues in the budget, including TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), Medicaid and Food Stamps.

At the meeting, Episcopal Bishop John Chane of Washington called for increased public awareness and advocacy around the issues. "It is important we get information to the public about the impact of this budget and the justice and moral issues involved," Chane said. "There should be no cuts in Food Stamps."

EPPN identifies the Food Stamp program as "the nation's single most effective federal effort to reduce and prevent hunger in the United States."

EPPN further cites a recent federal measurement showing "that 11.2 percent of all U.S. households, including 13.3 million children, do not have enough to eat. More than half of all Food Stamp recipients are children.

"Community food banks are already stretched to their limits. People of faith through their houses of worship are doing their part. Government must be a full partner in the effort to eradicate hunger in America."

In a July 21 "action alert," EPPN asked Episcopalians to begin contacting Senators and Representatives and urge them to oppose cuts in funding for the Food Stamp Program. Further information, including online registration for regular EPPN action alerts, is posted at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn/.

Following is an additional fact sheet provided through EPPN and the Office of Government Relations.

Food Stamps Facts and Statistics

Prior to the enactment of the Federal Food Stamp Program, hunger and severe malnutrition were common in many low-income communities in the United States; thanks to the program, severe hunger in America is now rare.

• According to the most recent federal government measurement of food insecurity and hunger, 36.3 million people in our nation, including 13.3 million children, live in households that experience food insecurity. That represents 11.2 percent of all U.S. households.

• Cuts in basic nutrition for children make it harder for them to learn in school and grow up to become healthy, productive members of society. Community food banks are already stretched to their limits. People of faith through their houses of worship are doing their part. Government must be a partner in the effort to eradicate hunger in America.

• Millions of families in America lack the money to buy enough food at all times for healthy living. Medical research shows that children in such families are more likely to get sick or have impaired development. Food stamps can prevent children from suffering ill health and slow growth. Cutting this essential benefit is simply wrong.

• The Food Stamp Program is well managed, well targeted, and it has a low error rate. More than 95 percent of food stamp benefits go to households with incomes below the poverty line, while many of the remaining beneficiaries are near-poor elderly or disabled persons.

• More than 36 million people are hungry or at risk of hunger; fewer than 26 million participate in the Food Stamp Program.

• Food stamps allow more than 25 million low-income Americans to afford an adequate diet

• On average, food stamp benefits equal $1 per person per meal

• Elderly or disabled people make up about 1/3 of all food stamp recipients; Over 1/2 of all food stamp recipients are children, and roughly 80 percent of all food stamp recipients live in households with children

• Roughly 70% of all food stamp participants are female

• Ninety percent of households that receive food stamps have incomes below the poverty line; 1/3 of all households receiving food stamps have incomes below half the poverty line

• Households receiving food stamps have an average gross income of less than $700 a month

• Approximately 1/2 of people eligible for the Food Stamp Program are not receiving benefits

• By responding to increased need, food stamps help to maintain overall food demand, thereby offering protection to the local and national economy in times of economic downturn; food stamps, therefore, benefit not only the people who receive them, but also farmers and store owners.

Sources:

• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2000). Food Nutrition Programs: Reducing Hunger, Bolstering Nutrition. Washington, DC: Dorothy Rosenblum and Zoe Neuberger.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation. (2004). Characteristics of Food Stamp Households: Fiscal Year 2003, FSP-04-CHAR. Alexandria, VA: Karen Cunnyngham and Beth Brown. Project Officer, Kate Fink.

Episcopal News Service