To the editor:
This is the season of giving, yet Congress seems poised to do a lot of taking.
Every Saturday morning, I see 1,500 families at the American Red Cross Food Pantry where I volunteer. It reminds me that even in a country as advanced as ours, food insecurity persists with many depending on food pantries because SNAP is just insufficient.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is America’s last defense against hunger, supporting nearly 40 million Americans each month, most of whom are working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. In 2023 alone, SNAP kept 3.4 million people out of poverty.
Yet, with a new Farm Bill in the works, some leaders are proposing cuts to SNAP benefits, which would increase hunger and hardship for millions of families. Even worse, there are plans to slash SNAP and Medicaid to fund more tax breaks for the wealthy. It’s indefensible to take food and health care from families to give the Elon Musks of the world more money.
As we reflect on our blessings this holiday season, I urge our members of Congress to act with compassion. Supporting SNAP shouldn’t be a political statement. Ensuring that millions of Americans don’t go to bed hungry during this season of hope, must be the message.
Thank you,
Ritobhas (Ricky) Bhowmik
Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials Unit
Center for Virology and Vaccine Research
