ACTION ALERT: Tell Senator Murray to Protect Federal Anti-Hunger Programs in Debt Reduction Process

Hunger Relief Partners:

As you may know, we, in Washington State have a unique and time-limited opportunity to impact the federal deficit reduction process: our US Senator Patty Murray was appointed to co-chair the 12-member Joint Committee charged with creating a plan to reduce the deficit by more than $1 trillion. The Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition has put together a Washington-specific sign-on letter that will be delivered to Senator Murray on September 12^th. We invite your organization to amplify our voices by signing on by September 8th!

Background:

Funding for federal nutrition programs remains vulnerable and will likely face cuts in the deficit reduction process. Already, more than a trillion dollars has been cut from the federal budget over the next 10 years, resulting in devastating impacts on programs that protect the basic needs of hard-working Americans who struggle to put food on the table. These spending cuts will be multiplied in Washington State as a result of cuts-only state budgets that have frayed our safety net dangerously.

The Super Committee is allowed to consider cuts to any discretionary or entitlement programs, including SNAP, WIC, child nutrition programs, TEFAP and other basic services. These crucial programs provide for the most fundamental need: access to regular, healthy food for vulnerable populations – poor pregnant women, children, and households with extraordinarily limited means to meet life’s basic demands.

In addition to being an essential service, many of these programs provide economic stimulus by ensuring money is circulating quickly through local communities. This protects jobs and supports businesses in these precarious times.

Our Message to Senator Murray:

Join us in sending a message to Senator Patty Murray, Co-Chair of the Super Committee, urging her to:

1. Keep the nutritional needs of our most vulnerable Americans at the forefront as decisions are made about our national priorities. Fundamental changes and devastating cuts to benefits for safety net programs – those that provide basic needs like food and health - should not be included in plans to balance the national budget.

2. Approve a balanced package with significant new revenues to balance any cuts to the safety net.

This information and the signature form are available online at www.wsahnc.org

For additional questions or if you have trouble with the form contact us at ahnc@wsahnc.org