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Congressional leadership last week proposed cutting food assistance that helps our neighbors thrive and economy grow. As part of the debt ceiling negotiations, U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unveiled the Limit, Save, Grow Act, a plan that would cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and make it even harder for our neighbors to access much needed food assistance.
As executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, a Feeding America food bank distributing charitable food in 27 mid-state counties including Lycoming, and with facilities in Williamsport and Harrisburg, I am no expert on the federal debt ceiling.
But my organization, which last year served about 47 million healthy meals, including 2.5 million in Lycoming County, knows a lot about food insecurity, and I disagree with Speaker McCarthy's current thinking about SNAP.
Let me set the record straight on Speaker McCarthy's proposed plan. And know that this comes from a CEO and a team that carry out our mission throughout a huge swath of Pennsylvania's farm country. We love work and we know the value of a good job, especially to our neighbors facing hunger.
SNAP already has work requirements that were included in the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill. This proposal calls for adding additional requirements, by raising the age range for those SNAP recipients who are required to seek work to include those aged 49 to 55. It also takes a one size fits all approach and eliminates our Governors' ability to do what is best for Pennsylvanians by limiting the number of waivers available to states.
Most of the families we serve at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank have at least one member who works. Data shows that most adults who can, do work, or are between jobs. We also know that over 55% of households without children who visited our partner food pantries reported skipping meals often in the last year.
Furthermore, studies have consistently shown that SNAP work requirements do not lead to increased employment. In fact, work requirements lead to more in lost benefits than they do increased earnings. If we really want to talk about sound public policy, we need to be looking at more voluntary supports like childcare, rental assistance, and job-search services; tools that we know make a difference in getting people back on their feet.
What we hear in our neighbor interviews is that there are many reasons people of working age are unable to work consistently. Some are disabled but ineligible to meet the strict definitions to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Many have childcare responsibilities but cannot afford or find safe care for their children and grandchildren. Some live in rural and remote areas that have no public transportation while others do not have reliable access to a car and therefore cannot consistently make it to their jobs.
We should support our neighbors in their goal to secure stable employment, not subject them to punitive measures that will kick them off SNAP regardless of their situation. By investing in employment training programs and proven strategies that work, we can create a pathway out of poverty.
Much of the federal funding for food assistance in the United States comes through what is called the "Farm Bill," a five-year funding bill that is up for renewal this year. Under Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson's leadership, the House Agriculture Committee has convened Farm Bill listening sessions across the country, where the public and stakeholders have been able to provide input about critical programs like SNAP that will be up for debate and reauthorization. Any change should be discussed as part of that process under the very able and experienced leadership of Congressman Thompson, who represents a good portion of Central Pennsylvania, including Lycoming, Tioga, Centre, Snyder, Union and Potter counties.
However, the current proposal to increase work requirements remains separate from the Farm Bill and does not give ample time to adequately consider the negative impact of these changes on our neighbors and their ability to access food. We encourage members of Congress to oppose the efforts to increase work requirements and change SNAP outside of the Farm Bill because we believe no one should be hungry.
Joe Arthur is the executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce hunger in 27 counties across Pennsylvania.