This holiday, we’re thankful for food aid for families

As millions of American families still struggle in the wake of the recession, we know what we’re thankful for this year. Voices for America’s Children is praising SNAP (the program formerly known as food stamps) for helping families put food…

Food Stamp use at record high, half of recipients are kids

A record 47 million Americans, including many struggling middle class families who have fallen on hard times, now participate in the food stamp program. Forty-seven percent of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) recipients are children and…

Congress: Vote no on bill that would hurt food aid for low-income families

This week the House will vote on a bill with big implications for needy families. The measure, a version of the farm bill by Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Collin Peterson (D-MN), would kick 2 to 3 million people off food…

Myths about food stamps debunked

Congress has begun renewing the big Farm Bill legislation. Why does this matter to kids? Because that’s where the food stamps program, now known as SNAP, gets its support.

So the Farm Bill debate is also a hunger and child…

What’s at stake for kids in the Farm Bill?

Our Washington state organization this week asks, “What’s at stake for kids in the Farm Bill?” The answer is that food stamps is paid for by this legislation, and around half of all food stamp recipients are children.

“Like…

Hunger in Kentucky

“Kentucky is not going to make an economic recovery any time soon,” our member there reports, and the effects can be seen in food aid numbers. Today Kentucky Youth Advocates shared new food stamps data which shows that as parents…

As millions remain jobless, food aid increasingly important

President Obama tonight will give an address to Congress on the economy, particularly employment. The jobs picture certainly is dismal, as unemployment remains around 9 percent nationwide. See how the number of Americans on food stamps has shot up…

NYT: “Families Feel Sharp Edge of State Budget Cuts”

The New York Times today reports on the increasingly difficult struggle needy families face as state governments try to trim budgets. With unemployment still hovering around 9 percent, families nationwide are depending on government assistance to help weather the storm.…

As unemployment rose, so did demand for food stamps

Though the United States is officially out of the recession, it’s hard to tell ordinary Americans that. Everyone reading this knows someone struggling in this still sputtering economy. The demand for food stamps sums it up best, and this is…

House passes radical, dangerous budget blueprint

The House today voted in support of House Budget Chair Paul Ryan’s blueprint for extreme cuts. Voices for America’s Children strongly opposes the Ryan budget because families are struggling enough now without having their support undercut.

The Ryan budget would…