From the Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition (7/17/20)
Be part of the national Rolling Rally for SNAP on Monday!
In June, the House passed the HEROES Act, a fourth COVID relief package, and in the next few short weeks, the Senate will be deciding on their own (and likely final) COVID relief package – so now is the time to act in support of SNAP!
SNAP Advocacy Needed!
Increase SNAP benefits by 15% for all: SNAP is our country’s first defense against hunger, but in this unprecedented economic time, we need SNAP to be stronger. Previous COVID legislation increased SNAP benefits for all but the poorest 40% of SNAP households, who were already receiving the maximum monthly benefit. Boosting SNAP by 15% for all provides people with more food; allows people to use their own money for other critical expenses, like rent; and, by spending more money at grocery stores and farmers markets, SNAP generates local economic activity that supports jobs all along the food supply chain.
TAKE ACTION:
On Monday, July 20 (from 9am – noon) the ROLLING RALLY for SNAP will be nationwide advocacy in every time zone, rolling across the country, to make phone calls, send emails and post selfies and videos on social media to encourage our Congress members to strengthen SNAP. Making a brief 30-60 second video of yourself talking about hunger, why SNAP matters to you, and asking our Senators to support these asks will give a face and stories to our lawmakers so they understand why it’s so important for them to keep fighting for SNAP. Use the hashtag #BoostSNAPNow and tag our two Senators (@SenatorCantwell and @
Call or email our Senators and your Representative in Congress between 9am – noon to join a rolling rally across the nation. Take a selfie, shoot a video and post it to social media – tagging our Congressional members – to bring our messages to life. (Thanks to our partners at Faith Action Network, Episcopal Bishop Rickel already made this heartfelt video) If you make a video, be sure to let us know where we can find it so we can amplify your stories!
But July 20 is not the only time to rally: we need to be visible and keep the volume up on SNAP and child nutrition until the Senate has voted (likely by August 8). Keep calling, emailing and posting online to ensure Congress does the right thing for hungry people!
Some helpful facts and talking points about SNAP for your phone calls or videos:
The poorest, most vulnerable SNAP households haven’t received any help with SNAP yet – it’s time to boost SNAP now for ALL eligible households – we can’t leave 40% of struggling people behind in this crisis.
In this crisis, more than 14 million children aren’t getting enough food. Child hunger has lifelong developmental and health impacts – we know boosting SNAP now prevents child hunger.
Three quarters of SNAP recipients are children, seniors or people with disabilities – boosting SNAP helps our most vulnerable neighbors in need.
Increasing SNAP by 15% makes sure people have more money for food – and allows people to use other resources for critical needs, like rent. 174,000 Washington households said they couldn’t pay rent in June. SNAP is homelessness prevention!
Unprecedented numbers of people have lost their jobs – at the end of June, the US had had 14 weeks in a row of more than 1 million unemployment weekly claims. Boost SNAP now to help those newly vulnerable families stay afloat.
SNAP is an economic generator: during recessions, every $1 of SNAP benefits spent generates between $1.50 to $1.80 in economic activity in our local economies because SNAP is used to buy food from local grocery stores, farmers markets, and certified retailers.
SNAP is an effective anti-poverty tool: SNAP helped lift more than 3.2 million people out of poverty last year.
SNAP helps struggling farms stay in business: SNAP can be used at certified farmers markets, farm stands, and grocery stores to buy Washington-grown foods, and Washington is home to incredibly innovative SNAP match programs that make it easier to afford more local fruits and vegetables on SNAP.
SNAP is needed more than ever: share data about how food insecurity in Washington has nearly doubled due to this pandemic, especially for Black and Hispanic households and households with children.
SNAP helps people get through temporary economic downturns: share your personal story about how SNAP helped or is helping you, a neighbor, or a loved one.