Debt Ceiling Signals Battles Ahead for Hunger Programs

Taken from the hunger Champions Blog at Feeding America.org

Debt Ceiling Signals Battles Ahead for Hunger Programs

August 18, 2011
While a debt ceiling deal ultimately passed - narrowly averting a disastrous federal default that threatened critical hunger relief programs - the budget battle affecting our nation's hungry has only just begun.

Cuts Imperil Federal Safety Net Programs

As reported in a recent CNN story, Congress reached an agreement to enact spending cuts, but which programs will bear the brunt is still to be determined by the Super Committee. A likely target? Federal hunger relief programs, which are already struggling to support a growing need in a time of economic uncertainty.

In the face of rising food and gas prices, Feeding America's food banks count on our nation's nutrition assistance programs to feed hungry Americans. And, as recently profiled in the political blogosphere, even programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which helps 9 million women and children - is at risk of devastating cuts. We can't let Congress take food out of the mouths of hungry people, simply because they don't have the most powerful voice.

ACT NOW: Protect America's Hungry

As Congress considers which programs to cut, they must reflect on our core values as a nation - and what the choices we make say about our priorities. The bottom line: America's most vulnerable citizens must not be the casualties of crippling cuts to essential hunger relief programs.

Together, we can let lawmakers know that balancing the budget on the backs of our nation's hungry is not an option. Take action today to protect programs that support hungry Americans in the wake of the deficit reduction deal!