Right now, Congress is considering the future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) as they look to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill. The decisions they make during this process will directly impact how the 1,599,520 people in Pennsylvania, including seniors, veterans, and children who experience hunger, will be able to put food on the table.
No piece of legislation is more important to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Pennsylvania families trying to make ends meet. The Farm Bill must keep critical programs like SNAP and TEFAP strong and strengthen America’s national commitment to fighting hunger.
SNAP is vital for families struggling with hunger, and its scope and scale could never be replaced by private charity. In fact, for each meal provided by a member of Feeding America’s network of 200 food banks and 60,000 partner agencies – which Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is part of, SNAP provides 12. We simply could not meet the need if accessing SNAP became more difficult for Pennsylvanians.
Many people end up at food pantry doors because they don’t qualify for SNAP, or because their benefits don’t stretch far enough. For these individuals, the charitable food assistance network helps bridge the gap. TEFAP is the cornerstone of the food supply for food banks- providing almost 1 in 5 meals distributed by all local hunger-relief agencies last year, and as much as 50% of food distributed in rural communities.
In order to help hungry communities in America, Congress should support the Senate SNAP provisions in the final Farm Bill and increase TEFAP funding so food banks can meet the demand for nutritious food in our communities.
We’re counting on Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation to pass a strong Farm Bill that ensures people can put food on the table for their families.
- I am a constituent and I stand with the Feeding America network of food banks.
- Please protect SNAP, a critical program that helps millions of children, seniors, and veterans across the country
- supporting the Senate SNAP provisions of the Farm Bill.
- Please increase TEFAP funding in the final Farm Bill so food banks can meet the demand for nutritious food in our communities.
I lost my snap last year cause I made to much on unemployment. Now I don’t get unemployment anymore I retired and all I get is social security. would like to know if you can help me out
Hi James, please call us at 412-460-3663 ext. 655. We can see what resources are available to you.