1. Overview: Federal Nutrition Programs
2016 U.S. Poverty Campaigns

2. Hunger in the United States
In 2014, almost 1 in 5 children in the U.S. were at risk of going to bed hungry at night (19.2 percent of households, according to USDA).
Studies show that children who are regularly hungry suffer from weakened immune systems, slowed and abnormal growth, and anemia.

3. Hunger in the United States
48.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, including 32.8 million adults and 15.3 million children
6.9 million households experienced very low food insecurity.
Low Food Security: (Food insecurity without hunger): reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake.
Very Low Food Security: (Food insecure with hunger) Reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.

4. Hunger in America cannot be ended by charity alone

5. SNAP (formerly Food Stamps)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)
In 2014, SNAP lifted nearly 5 million people above the poverty line
Including about 2.1 million children
SNAP is one of the most efficient government programs
More than 99 percent of benefits issued to eligible households

6. Experts on Poverty on SNAP

7. SNAP Participants
About 93 percent of SNAP benefits go to households with incomes below the poverty line
58 percent go to households below half of the poverty line
about $10,080 for a family of three in 2016
Overall, 75 percent of all SNAP households, containing 87 percent of all participants include a child(s), elderly or an individual with disabilities.

8. #ExpertsOnPoverty on why #SNAPmatters

9. Impact of SNAP on Families

10. Long-Term Impacts of SNAP

11. SNAP (formerly Food Stamps)
Each dollar of federal SNAP benefits generates $1.79 in economic activity.
Mark Zandi from Moody’s Economy has estimated that figure to be at $1.84
U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that between 8,900 and 17,900 full time jobs are created for every $1 billion in SNAP.

12. Congress Threatening Cuts to SNAP and Other Anti-Poverty Programs
Congress pushing for deeper cuts to SNAP
House of Republican budget proposal for FY 2015 proposed $135 billion reduction (almost 18%)

13. CBPP: Block Grants Buried But Not Gone
Highlights of the Poverty Task Force Recommendations:
All programs: States should be allowed to link these programs in a way that provides a more holistic approach for families they serve. (p. 17)
All programs: Programs should be more closely aligned so they all work together to achieve the same goal—creating opportunity (p.18)
Federal food assistance. Consolidating or streamlining programs that serve overlapping target populations could improve efficiency and save administrative dollars. (p.18)
Housing programs. Overlapping programs, with almost identical goals, should be consolidated into a single program in order to clarify the program’s mission, as well as simplify the delivery of services for seamlessness, consistency, and fairness, in order to avoid gaps and duplication. (p.18-19)
Early childhood: Funds should be streamlined into one, simplified approach to provide greater funding flexibility and restore decision-making to state and local communities. (p.25)
Juvenile Justice: Federal policies must provide states more flexibility to deliver services that address the unique needs and circumstances of every child. (p. 26)
Child Nutrition: Republican reforms would permit funds to be given to states in exchange for flexibility within the programs. (p. 33)

14. TANF is NOT the Model!

15. SNAP: Meeting the Needs of Millions During the Recession

16. Nutrition Programs Must Respond to Increased Need

17. Strengthen SNAP: We Must Increase Benefits
SNAP’s meal allotment of about $125 per month, or about 1.40 per meal, per person is inadequate to meet the nutritional needs of hungry Americans.
Food-insecure families, who are more likely to be poorer, report needing an additional $12 to $20 per person per week (about $50 to $85 per month).
Low-income families report that to meet their food needs, they would need to spend an additional $4 to $9 per person per week on food, or about $17 to $40 per month

18. Strengthen SNAP: We Must Increase Benefits
Researchers at the University of Kentucky 91 and also those from Dartmouth and Wellesley Colleges 92 have examined the potential impact of raising SNAP benefits by 20 percent. They find that increasing SNAP’s benefits would reduce food insecurity and increase consumption of more nutritious foods.
The Children’s Defense Fund reports that this change would reduce child poverty by 16 percent, lifting 1.8 million children out of poverty, and cost approximately $23.2 billion.

19. Thank you for raising your voice to protect and strengthen SNAP!