Millions of Parents and Young Kids Could Be Denied Food Aid Next Year Without Funding Boost
A new report released this week has warned that additional government funding is required to ensure that millions of families and young kids do not get denied food aid next year. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has estimated that over 17 million babies, toddlers, and school-aged children would be among those affected and would lose out on critical nutrition assistance if the funding is not increased in time.
This would have a major impact on poor and low-income households, who are already struggling to make ends meet. Without a funding boost, the food security of millions of households in American would be put at risk, as the report estimates a cut of $9 billion from the existing program over the course of the upcoming year.
This proposed cut comes despite an onslaught of rising food insecurity over the past year, with estimates from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) claiming that an additional 11 million people were added to the list of food-insecure households during 2020. This means that a total of 54 million households now struggle to be able to put food on the table for their families, many of which have been disproportionally affected by the broader economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
The report also noted that the risks associated with food assistance cuts extend further, potentially exacerbating problems with childhood poverty. This could have far-reaching effects on the educational attainments, physical health and well-being of the impacted children.
These findings make it more important than ever for Congress to come to an agreement on an additional funding boost for the food program. However, all steps are being taken to avoid such a course and ensure that families and kids across the country are not put at risk of going without food aid. Right now, bipartisan lawmakers are negotiating to increase funding and work out a hint of compromise on the larger bill.
It is yet to be seen, however, if a resolution can be found in time to soften the blow of a potential funding cut this coming year. It is more than likely that the food program is one of the main points of contention in negotiations, but whatever the outcome, necessary steps need to be taken to ensure that millions of passionate parents and young kids do not have to face the prospect of denials of vital services.
Millions of Parents and Young Kids Could Be Denied Food Aid Next Year Without Funding Boost
A new report released this week has warned that additional government funding is required to ensure that millions of families and young kids do not get denied food aid next year. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has estimated that over 17 million babies, toddlers, and school-aged children would be among those affected and would lose out on critical nutrition assistance if the funding is not increased in time.
This would have a major impact on poor and low-income households, who are already struggling to make ends meet. Without a funding boost, the food security of millions of households in American would be put at risk, as the report estimates a cut of $9 billion from the existing program over the course of the upcoming year.
This proposed cut comes despite an onslaught of rising food insecurity over the past year, with estimates from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) claiming that an additional 11 million people were added to the list of food-insecure households during 2020. This means that a total of 54 million households now struggle to be able to put food on the table for their families, many of which have been disproportionally affected by the broader economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
The report also noted that the risks associated with food assistance cuts extend further, potentially exacerbating problems with childhood poverty. This could have far-reaching effects on the educational attainments, physical health and well-being of the impacted children.
These findings make it more important than ever for Congress to come to an agreement on an additional funding boost for the food program. However, all steps are being taken to avoid such a course and ensure that families and kids across the country are not put at risk of going without food aid. Right now, bipartisan lawmakers are negotiating to increase funding and work out a hint of compromise on the larger bill.
It is yet to be seen, however, if a resolution can be found in time to soften the blow of a potential funding cut this coming year. It is more than likely that the food program is one of the main points of contention in negotiations, but whatever the outcome, necessary steps need to be taken to ensure that millions of passionate parents and young kids do not have to face the prospect of denials of vital services.
