Letter to the editor: SNAP increase much needed

The Westmoreland County Food Bank strongly supports the 15% benefit increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in the updated HEROES Act introduced in the House of Representatives. This past year, the Westmoreland County Food Bank and the rest of Feeding America’s network of 200 food banks have served more than 5 billion meals. Food banks help families have enough to eat, but we cannot meet the need alone. For every meal Feeding America provides, SNAP provides nine. Investing in SNAP is an efficient, cost-effective way to help families keep their pantries full while also stimulating economic activity in local communities.

Strong investments in federal nutrition programs and the charitable sector are essential so families do not have to choose between putting food on the table and paying their rent. We need our lawmakers to come together and pass a bill that strengthens every tool at our disposal to significantly curb hunger in our country. The provisions in this proposed bill are a critical step in that direction.

In Westmoreland County, we have seen the increase in need, heard the despair in voices and experienced people for the first time having to ask for a hand up. As we continue to face the pandemic’s wrath and recovery, we must understand that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and helping those who are unable to help themselves is the right thing to do. We are all Americans, helping those in need and needing those who help.

Jennifer Miller

Delmont