Ways and Means Examines the Increasing Demand on Food Banks and Charities on the Front-line
WASHINGTON, DC — Today at a joint hearing, the Ways and Means Subcommittees on Oversight, and Income Security and Family Support examined the unprecedented pressure on food banks and front-line charities during this economic downturn. The hearing comes after a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report on Monday revealing that close to 14.6 percent of American families struggled to find food last year, the highest rate since 1995.
"We need to find out how the Federal government, charities, private foundations, and individuals can work together to make sure every American has enough food to eat," said Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (D-GA). "No one deserves to know the emotional, physical, and spiritual pain of hunger. I call upon charities and individuals to partner with us to make sure that everyone who needs food is fed."
Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief charity, found in a September 2009 survey that, 99 percent of food banks reported increases in demand for emergency food assistance; 78 percent have had to reduce the amount of food provided and; 55 percent have had to turn people away in the last year. Furthermore, 56 percent of the food banks surveyed have noticed an increase in the number of children as clients.
"We have a big problem when nearly one out of every four American children doesn't have reliable access to food," said Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Jim McDermott (D-WA). "Food banks around the country are working hard to help hungry Americans. However, just as the demand for their services is escalating, some are finding charitable donations declining."
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) committed $20 billion for increases in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as Food Stamps, as well as $800 million for other nutrition programs. An additional $150 million was given to States commit in additional funding to States and participating food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens to help them better serve the increased number of individual seeking assistance through The Emergency Food Assistance Programs (TEFAP). Click here for more information on the ARRA.
Click here for more information on today's hearing.
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