Soapboxmom
05-18-2012, 04:39 PM
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Older Americans Month, Senior Hunger and SNAP
When we think about the $36 billion dollars in proposed cuts to SNAP, it’s easy to lose sight of the actual people that would be affected—low-income families, children, and seniors.
Here’s one senior’s story—in her own words—that shows us why we need to take action to protect programs like SNAP.
I am a disabled senior on a small fixed income. After paying my rent and bills, I have very little left over. Usually, I only eat once a day. I don't own a car, so I can't take advantage of food banks or places that provide food assistance because I have no way to get it home. The food stamp program has been a huge help to me. Every little bit helps! – Sylvia
This is why we are fighting to make sure the Farm Bill strengthens and protects our nation's anti-hunger safety net.
Help us ensure we are able to protect older Americans like Sylvia. Send a letter to Congress today! (http://t.democracydirect.com/?ti_dn__=23f2b9ac-73eb-4d0a-97a2-40b65606cf60&__u_idz=200907312683&__turl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hungeractioncenter.org%2fc omposeletters.aspx%3fAlertID%3d643)
Dear Heather,
Last week, the House of Representatives voted to cut SNAP (food stamps) by $36 billion. If that cut is made law:
Every SNAP recipient will see a reduction in monthly benefits;
Two million people currently on SNAP will lose SNAP benefits entirely;
280,000 children will lose free school breakfast and lunch.
Help us raise awareness and deliver our message - cutting hunger-relief programs like SNAP and TEFAP is not only wrong, it's short sighted given the impact of hunger on health care, education, and the workforce.
You can help spread the word by submitting a letter to the editor of your local publication. Below, you will find a sample LTE you can use as a guide - but you'll want to personalize your letter as you see fit. The more personal the story, the more likely you are to get your LTE published.
To the Editor:
For those of you who weren't aware, the House of Represntatives recently voted on a package that tries to prevent automatic budget cuts by gutting programs that support low-income Americans. Specifically, they cut $36 billion from SNAP, or food stamps, alone.
I realize we need to balance the budget, but is this really the way to do it? Cutting programs that put food on the table for people in our community that are hungry is not just short-sighted, but it is also just plain wrong.
We talk a lot about values in this country, but our elected officials' votes don't always seem to back up their words. Congress seems to have this reverse Robin Hood mentality these days - rob from the poor to protect the rich. If anything, we need to strengthen our nation's hunger saftey net, not cut the strings to it.
I urge you to call your Representative and tell them this is unacceptable.
If your letter is published, email us a copy moderator@hungeractioncenter.org, post a link to it on our Facebook Wall (http://t.democracydirect.com/?ti_dn__=46a206a0-0e1b-4037-862b-bffba37d90f6&__u_idz=200907312683&__turl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2ffeedingamer ica), or tweet us a link at @FeedingAmerica (http://t.democracydirect.com/?ti_dn__=910023bf-36ca-4398-b0d8-6c26ea75129b&__u_idz=200907312683&__turl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.twitter.com%2ffeedingameri ca)(Hashtag: #ChampionLTE).
Our nation was built on a strong sense of community—a sense that we all share responsibility in strengthening our neighborhoods so that everyone has the opportunity to survive and thrive. That starts by making sure every man, woman, and child in our nation has enough food on their plate. Yet we see Congress make decisions that abandon our struggling neighbors during their time of need. We believe this is the wrong way to balance our nation’s budget.
As a Hunger Champion, we know you agree. Please submit an LTE to help us raise awareness today. As always, thank you for your time and support.
eeding America | One Constitution Ave, NE Suite 200 | Washington, DC 20002-5655
If you would no longer like to receive emails from Feeding America's Hunger Action Center, please Click here to unsubscribe. (http://unsubscribe.democracydirect.com/default.aspx?ID=200907312683&Client=harvest&Action=1622&EmailNO=289492360)
http://online.democracydirect.com/O/289492360.gif
Older Americans Month, Senior Hunger and SNAP
When we think about the $36 billion dollars in proposed cuts to SNAP, it’s easy to lose sight of the actual people that would be affected—low-income families, children, and seniors.
Here’s one senior’s story—in her own words—that shows us why we need to take action to protect programs like SNAP.
I am a disabled senior on a small fixed income. After paying my rent and bills, I have very little left over. Usually, I only eat once a day. I don't own a car, so I can't take advantage of food banks or places that provide food assistance because I have no way to get it home. The food stamp program has been a huge help to me. Every little bit helps! – Sylvia
This is why we are fighting to make sure the Farm Bill strengthens and protects our nation's anti-hunger safety net.
Help us ensure we are able to protect older Americans like Sylvia. Send a letter to Congress today! (http://t.democracydirect.com/?ti_dn__=23f2b9ac-73eb-4d0a-97a2-40b65606cf60&__u_idz=200907312683&__turl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hungeractioncenter.org%2fc omposeletters.aspx%3fAlertID%3d643)
Dear Heather,
Last week, the House of Representatives voted to cut SNAP (food stamps) by $36 billion. If that cut is made law:
Every SNAP recipient will see a reduction in monthly benefits;
Two million people currently on SNAP will lose SNAP benefits entirely;
280,000 children will lose free school breakfast and lunch.
Help us raise awareness and deliver our message - cutting hunger-relief programs like SNAP and TEFAP is not only wrong, it's short sighted given the impact of hunger on health care, education, and the workforce.
You can help spread the word by submitting a letter to the editor of your local publication. Below, you will find a sample LTE you can use as a guide - but you'll want to personalize your letter as you see fit. The more personal the story, the more likely you are to get your LTE published.
To the Editor:
For those of you who weren't aware, the House of Represntatives recently voted on a package that tries to prevent automatic budget cuts by gutting programs that support low-income Americans. Specifically, they cut $36 billion from SNAP, or food stamps, alone.
I realize we need to balance the budget, but is this really the way to do it? Cutting programs that put food on the table for people in our community that are hungry is not just short-sighted, but it is also just plain wrong.
We talk a lot about values in this country, but our elected officials' votes don't always seem to back up their words. Congress seems to have this reverse Robin Hood mentality these days - rob from the poor to protect the rich. If anything, we need to strengthen our nation's hunger saftey net, not cut the strings to it.
I urge you to call your Representative and tell them this is unacceptable.
If your letter is published, email us a copy moderator@hungeractioncenter.org, post a link to it on our Facebook Wall (http://t.democracydirect.com/?ti_dn__=46a206a0-0e1b-4037-862b-bffba37d90f6&__u_idz=200907312683&__turl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.facebook.com%2ffeedingamer ica), or tweet us a link at @FeedingAmerica (http://t.democracydirect.com/?ti_dn__=910023bf-36ca-4398-b0d8-6c26ea75129b&__u_idz=200907312683&__turl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.twitter.com%2ffeedingameri ca)(Hashtag: #ChampionLTE).
Our nation was built on a strong sense of community—a sense that we all share responsibility in strengthening our neighborhoods so that everyone has the opportunity to survive and thrive. That starts by making sure every man, woman, and child in our nation has enough food on their plate. Yet we see Congress make decisions that abandon our struggling neighbors during their time of need. We believe this is the wrong way to balance our nation’s budget.
As a Hunger Champion, we know you agree. Please submit an LTE to help us raise awareness today. As always, thank you for your time and support.
eeding America | One Constitution Ave, NE Suite 200 | Washington, DC 20002-5655
If you would no longer like to receive emails from Feeding America's Hunger Action Center, please Click here to unsubscribe. (http://unsubscribe.democracydirect.com/default.aspx?ID=200907312683&Client=harvest&Action=1622&EmailNO=289492360)
http://online.democracydirect.com/O/289492360.gif