SNAP judgment on food programs

In the House budget proposal is a provision to slash funding to SNAP and WIC nutritional programs, reduce school meal programs to low-income children, and cause over 13.6 million to lose access to these funds by 2027.

In Kentucky, the number of participants would be reduced from 418,533 to 135,377 by 2023. This translates to $1.8 billion lost to the state by 2026, an average cut of $40 per person per month.

It is argued that block grants provide states with increased flexibility. Block grants eliminate the flexibility of the programs to respond to natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey. They don't even reduce paperwork.

These programs reduce hunger and decrease low birth weights and obesity levels. A study by the Center for American Progress estimates school children get 50 percent of their daily calories from school meals.

For every $1 billion spent in this program, 11,500 jobs are created or supported. More than 80 percent of participants work before and after receiving benefits. These programs enable the working poor to survive and climb out of poverty.

Please write or call your representative and Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell, urging them not to cut programs so many of our fellow Kentuckians depend on.

This story was originally published September 26, 2017 at 7:03 PM with the headline "SNAP judgment on food programs."