This raging pandemic has thrust our children into a world of uncertainty: classes abruptly canceled last spring, a summer without camps or parties or road trips, confusion about the upcoming school year. At least most kids know where their next meal will come from.
But for many low-income families, the next meal only brings more uncertainty. Food banks help, but they don’t provide the consistency of a familiar brand of mac-n-cheese or a kid’s favorite kind of bread.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) not only allows families to choose familiar foods for their children, it also provides fresh fruits and vegetables that are rarely available at the food pantry.
Unfortunately, SNAP funds often run out at the end of the month, and food pantries are notorious for long-lines and packed waiting rooms at the end of the month. And despite the worst economy in generations and a health care crisis of massive proportion, Congress left for summer break without negotiating the next stimulus package.
Please join me in demanding that Congress get back to work and that the next stimulus bill provides a 15% increase to the maximum SNAP allowance.
Debbie Baskin
Salt Lake City