From Food Lifeline: Delivery Time!

ELIMINATION OF THE STATE FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROPOSED. READ ON TO FIND OUT HOW TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS! Governor Christine Gregoire has released her proposed 2012 state budget which includes eliminating the State Food Assistance Program (SFA). SFA is a food stamp “look-alike” program that provides food benefits to 13,754 lawfully residing immigrants.  The SFA Program has proven to be an efficient and economical program, costing 43% less to operate than originally anticipated.  The proposed $13.9 million in cuts would end the program, but it won’t solve our budget problem.  Cutting funding for the SFA Program would lead to an even greater strain on local food banks and meal programs. Food Lifeline’s member agencies have seen a 9% increase, since Fiscal Year 2010, in unduplicated individuals accessing their local hunger relief organizations. Hunger and food insecurity has risen greatly among our neighbors since the recession began and we cannot place additional pressure on programs and organizations already struggling to keep food on the shelves for the most vulnerable in our community. Our lawmakers are meeting to discuss the Governor’s budget proposal. At the end of the regular session they will have made incredibly important decisions regarding which programs to cut and which to preserve. While they are engaged in these key conversations it is crucial for us to strongly voice our concerns for a budget that maintains essential funding for hunger relief programs. Please click here to sign a letter letting our state legislators know how vital it is to retain funding for the SFA Program to keep thousands of families, children, and individuals nourished and fed. CLICK HERE. NEWS OF THE FEDERAL JOINT COMMITTEE... Additionally, Food Lifeline had been diligently following the Federal Joint Committee and any actions they might have taken to reduce the federal deficit. We asked for your help to urge Senator Patty Murray and her fellow Committee members to protect nutrition programs when making possible cuts. Thank you so much for all of your effort, time, and help in the last few months. Unfortunately, despite all our hard work, the Joint Committee put out a statement saying they were not able to reach a bi-partisan agreement before their deadline. They expressed their hope that Congress would take into account the work they had done when making further decisions about tackling the deficit. It is our hope that Congress will take our recommendations into account as well, and that all of our hard work, concerns and voices made an impact and will be considered the final budget.

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