Funding for child nutrition programs expires Dec. 3: Call Congress today #p2 #tcot #gop

from http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=6567.0&dlv_id=10521

Dear friend, As Congress goes back into session today, we need your help to urge members to pass a new child nutrition bill before the current law expires and before the end of session on Dec. 3. According to a USDA report released today, more than 17 million children in the U.S. now live in food insecure households. As such, it is more critical than ever that the child nutrition bill, which has already been extended twice in over a year, is not extended again in December and that a new bill is passed as soon as Congress goes back into session. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (Senate Bill 3307) offers a real chance to improve nutrition and access to programs for all children, including hundreds of thousands of children in Cook County. While anti-hunger advocates across the nation, including the Food Depository, are deeply concerned that this bill is partly paid for by cutting future SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits, our children cannot afford to wait any longer—nearly one in four children are at-risk of hunger. Therefore, we are strongly urging the House and the White House to pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act this year and commit to restoring SNAP benefits through another timely legislative vehicle. You can make a lasting impact on federal child nutrition programs! Join other advocates around the nation by calling Members of Congress today and urging them to pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act immediately when they return to session. Learn more about the Food Depository's advocacy priorities and how you can join us in the fight against hunger. Visit the Food Depository's Advocacy Center and take a stand against hunger today by letting your elected officials know that you support hunger-relief programs.