August 21, 2017

Duckworth Highlights Importance of Anti-Hunger Programs with Illinois Hunger Coalition

 

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined representatives of the Illinois Hunger Coalition (IHC), a statewide organization dedicated to ending hunger, Tuesday to highlight the importance of anti-hunger initiatives like the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Duckworth also criticized the President's proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides millions of children and families with critical support to curb domestic hunger. A photo of the press conference is available here.


"After my father lost his job when I was a teenager, food stamps and reduced price meals at school kept me from going hungry," said Duckworth. "Now I'm working to ensure every child in America has access to healthy food and no parent is forced to choose between paying rent or paying for groceries. I will continue to defend critical safety net programs like SNAP and support organizations like the Illinois Hunger Coalition to help strengthen organizations that help our families and our nation."

SFSP ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a goal of serving more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved SFSP sites this summer. SNAP provides millions of children and families with critical support to curb domestic hunger. President Trump's 2018 budget proposes to cut SNAP by more than $193 billion over the next 10 years. Senator Duckworth has pushed back against the President's efforts and worked to ensure SNAP has the resources it needs to provide low-income families with access to essential nutrition.

The Illinois Hunger Coalition is a statewide membership organization working to eliminate hunger, reduce poverty and address the systemic causes of economic injustice.