As Iowans work to ensure those in need don’t fall through the cracks, we face some real challenges because of cuts in Washington, D.C., that hit low-income families and seniors particularly hard.
This spring, state legislators responded in a bipartisan way to the growing number of Iowa families struggling to get enough to eat. We approved $1 million in help for Iowa food banks and expanded incentives for Iowans to donate to organizations that feed the hungry.
Those steps forward are being undermined by recent federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The food budgets of low-income Iowans were slashed by $43 million this month even though the need is increasing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that that the number of hungry Iowans relying on SNAP increased from about 335,000 in January 2010 to more than 420,000 in April 2013.
The new federal cuts in food aid will increase demands on our food banks. Kids from poor families won’t get the nutrition they need to succeed in school. The Iowa economy will take a hit too. According to the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, every $1 increase in food stamps generates about $1.70 in economic activity.
This is the United States of America. We can do better by those in need.
