Once again, Congress is working on a farm bill. I am especially concerned about two issues now being written by committees for that bill:
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly "food stamps"), which last year helped 46 million Americans for some period of time, most of them in emergency and temporary need in today's economy. I am personally familiar with families in need of this help from two local food pantries and meal programs here in Kingston. Over the past six years, enrollment in the program has doubled. It is essential that the program suffer no cuts.
International food aid, which needs to be maintained while being improved. The United States is the world's largest donor, assisting 925 million people in food-insecure areas since 1954. In fact, statistics indicate we are (all too slowly) winning the fight against hunger, and we must not retreat at the expense of the world's poorest and most destitute.
As a voting resident of Kingston in Ulster County, I want Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Chris Gibson to know how important these programs are to our community and, indeed, to international security as we contend with the basic causes for world hunger. Lawmakers must keep these programs properly funded if they are serious about alleviating hunger and poverty. Please do not balance the budget at the expense of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Albert R. Ahlstrom
Kingston
