This
morning, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) joined members of
Congress, Feeding America, the Food Research and Action Center,
advocates, and representatives from dozens of national organizations
to oppose $16 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program, (SNAP). NCOA Media Contact: Ken Schwartz,
Director of Marketing & Communications, 202-600-3131,
ken.schwartz@ncoa.org.
Washington,
D.C., USA - July 12, 2012 -- This morning, the National Council
on Aging (NCOA) joined members of Congress, Feeding America, the Food
Research and Action Center, advocates, and representatives from
dozens of national organizations to oppose $16 billion in cuts to the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in the
proposed House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill reauthorization. The
Committee is expected to vote on the legislation tomorrow.
Nearly
3 million older adults receive SNAP, and 80% of them live alone. SNAP
makes nutritious food more affordable for these vulnerable seniors,
reducing health costs by helping them manage and prevent chronic
diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
Yet,
due to inadequate outreach and enrollment, only 1 in 3 seniors who
qualifies for SNAP actually receives this valuable benefit.
“These
cuts would be catastrophic for vulnerable older adults and their
families,” said NCOA President & CEO Jim Firman. “93% of SNAP
benefits go to households below the poverty line, and 76% of SNAP
households include an elderly person, child, or disabled person.
Taking food out of the mouths of people living at or near the poverty
level is unconscionable act, especially when the unemployment rate is
so high.”
In
addition to keeping individuals safe and well-fed, SNAP is a
well-established and efficient way to stimulate local economies.
Every $1 worth of SNAP benefits in an eligible recipient’s pocket
turns into a $1.73 benefit to local communities via grocery stores,
farm stands, or even Wal-Mart. Without SNAP and other federal
benefits, millions of vulnerable older adults will be forced to make
a grim choice between buying groceries or filling prescriptions;
putting food on the table or paying utility bills.
NCOA
is encouraging older adults, their families, and caregivers to call
on Congress to oppose these drastic cuts. Concerned advocates can
call toll-free 1-877-698-8228 today to be connected to their
Representative’s office and ask them to vote NO on proposed SNAP
cuts in the Farm Bill.
For
more information, please visit http://www.ncoa.org/SNAP
/ http://www.FeedingAmerica.org
or http://www.wilcoareatimes.com.
Read
this and other NCOA releases at http://www.wilcoareatimes.com.
(Category Seniors)
Media
Contact:
Gail
Duncan
Wilco
Area Times
120
Nolan Dr.
Georgetown,
TX 78633
512-818-7519
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