N.C. Dems want more federal cash to combat hunger during pandemic

[TexasTowelie]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) and other House Democrats are urging congressional leaders to prioritize food insecurity in the next round of coronavirus legislation.

She and more than 100 other lawmakers sent a letter Tuesday asking Democratic and Republican leaders of the U.S. House and Senate to boost the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit by 15% — a request Republicans rejected in the $2 trillion coronavirus response packaged signed into law last month.

The issue is of special concern in North Carolina, where the prevalence of food insecurity is higher than the national average, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About 1.5 million North Carolinians — or one in seven residents — struggle with hunger, according to Feeding America, a national hunger-relief organization.

“SNAP is one of our country’s most vital social safety nets, and it will continue to play a critical role in reducing hunger, malnutrition and poverty throughout the COVID-19 health crisis,” House lawmakers wrote.

Read more: http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2020/04/08/n-c-dems-want-more-federal-cash-to-combat-hunger-during-pandemic/