This is a nonpartisan comment on the current debt ceiling “crisis” in our Nation, which shouldn’t be a crisis at all. The debt ceiling has to do with money already spent, not future spending or the budget. Since some in Congress want to hold one hostage for the other, we will comment on the cuts they want to make on future budgets, which effect largely the poor, the elderly and the low income folks, military veterans, read “social programs.”
SNAP (formerly food stamps) is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the operative word here is “supplemental.” It is designed to help the retired and low income citizens make ends meet to avoid food insecurity, prevalent among the poor and elderly. It picks up where social security and the minimum wage leave off. Some in Congress want to reduce the premium, which is paltry, or require increase in work, with bureaucrats making the assumption the recipients are free loaders, isn’t even pertinent.
Our experience is this: The vast majority of the folks who visit our food pantries, or those like them, receive SNAP benefits. They are largely retirees and military veterans. The remainder are folks either working for minimum wage or those with bona-fide disabilities which preclude them from doing that work. We see this everyday, this is not hyperbole.
Washington remains one of the top ten most expensive cities in which to live. Affordable housing really isn’t affordable. Cost of living is high, and while the minimum wage is one of the highest in the country, a full time worker is still living in poverty. Once you pay your rent, utilities, and transportation, there is little left.
Please believe this: People don’t receive SNAP benefits or visit food pantries because it’s fun or because they are lazy or looking for a free ride, they do so out of necessity to feed their families. The amounts we are talking about are so insignificant that it is a tragedy this program is even on the chopping block.
We’re talking about daily sustenance, something as simple as a meal. This is not tax cuts, this is not special interests, this is not fraud or abuse. This is simply care of a brother or sister in need. SNAP benefits are assigned after consideration of work status, income, housing expenses, child care, dependent care, and many other criteria — it’s not a blanket handout. The average SNAP benefit is $121 a month for an individual.
Cutting programs such as SNAP is neither good government nor sound financial oversight. It is a heartless, thoughtless shortcut to balance a budget on the backs of those who are underrepresented and voiceless.
The John S. Mulholland Family Foundation stands in support of SNAP and against any and all attempts to fundamentally reduce or alter it’s benefits to the food insecure, working poor, military veterans, and retired citizens in our community.
Brian M. Mulholland