Take action to protect SNAP

The Senate is debating its version of the Agriculture Appropriations Bill right now. Several harmful amendments are being considered that would cut future SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) benefits. SNAP is a vital source of nutritious food for many of the individuals and families we serve in Cook County.  Making changes to SNAP at this accelerated pace in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill would hurt thousands of Illinoisans, increase administrative burdens and take control away from states. We urge you to call your Senators and ask them to oppose any amendments that would cut SNAP or any of the nutrition assistance programs in this bill. Help us keep the pressure on Congress and tell them that cutting anti-hunger programs is unacceptable!

The Senate may be voting on these amendments any minute, so call Senators Durbin and Kirk NOW and deliver this message:

“Hi, my name is ________ and I am from (city, state). I am calling you today to urge you to vote for passage of the Senate’s FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill and oppose any amendments that may harm SNAP or any other anti-hunger program." 

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
Tel: (202) 224-2152

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk
Tel: (202) 224-2854

About SNAP
SNAP is the cornerstone of the nutrition safety net, providing over 46 million low-income participants with monthly benefits via a grocery debit card. SNAP has proven to be one of the most responsive, efficient safety net programs. The program expands quickly to meet rising need, as demonstrated in the recent recession, and provides an efficient benefit transfer that results in $1.79 in local economic activity for each additional $1 in benefits expended.  76% of SNAP households contain a child, senior, or disabled member, and 84% of all benefits go to these households. With one in six Americans struggling to put food on the table, nutrition assistance programs are more important than ever.

Squash travels from field to the Food Depository

More than 20 volunteers came together this Saturday to harvest five acres of butternut and acorn squash in McHenry County. The effort is one of the creative ways the Greater Chicago Food Depository is accessing food as rising costs have led to reduced supply. Thanks to a farmer who is donating the crops, the Food Depository has been able to harvest tons of sweet corn and squash this fall. We collected more than 32,000 pounds on Saturday alone. In coming days, volunteers will bag and sort the squash and distribute it to pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across Cook County.

UPDATE: Here are more photos from Saturday:

Have you told your Member of Congress that you support ending hunger?

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is working to end hunger in our community. This work requires all of us to let decision-makers know that we want them to stand up for those who need food. Join people across the country in speaking up for vital anti-hunger programs for low-income individuals and families.

Right now Members of Congress are focused on the deficit reduction agreement and a potential full Senate vote on the FY 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. That’s why this is a key moment to raise your voice and influence the course of events that will affect hundreds of thousands of Americans who rely on federal nutrition programs to feed themselves and their families. (For more information on what’s at stake in these proposals, visit the Food Depository’s Advocacy Center at chicagosfoodbank.org/advocate.)

Make a difference TODAY by calling U.S. Senators Kirk and Durbin to deliver this important message: 

“Hi, my name is ________ and I am from (city, Illinois). I urge you to protect federal nutrition programs in the deficit reduction plan and to vote YES on the FY 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill when it comes to the Senate floor. Please reject proposals that would strip funding from these valuable programs that are critical to reducing hunger in our state.” 

In the coming weeks, there will be additional opportunities to take action. The Food Depository will keep you informed of the latest development. Together, we can help keep anti-hunger programs strong at every possible opportunity. 

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk

Tel: (202) 224-2854

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Tel: (202) 224-2152