Letter: Expand food program instead of cutting it

Wednesday May 9, 2018

People should stand up for those who don't have enough to eat.

Editor:

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is our country's most powerful tool in the fight against hunger. SNAP offers basic nutrition for people in need and provides 12 times as much food as food pantries and other charitable organizations like ours. I couldn't agree more with those who gathered in Pottstown ("Advocates attack proposed farm bill," Reading Eagle, May 2). The hurtful changes proposed in the House farm bill will impact hundreds of local families with children, older adults and persons with disabilities who receive SNAP.

Open four days per week, The Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities' food pantry distributes 42,050 pounds of food each month to 575 households. The food we provide goes to families struggling to make ends meet, but those we serve also need SNAP.

We should be expanding SNAP to better fight hunger, not seeking ways to limit access to the program. As the farm bill advances, I urge readers to stand up for those without enough to eat. Call Rep. Ryan Costello and tell him to protect SNAP and vote against the farm bill.

Barbara Wilhelmy
Pottstown

Expand food program instead of cutting it