The Food Stamp Program (now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) is an essential Federal source of grocery assistance to those suffering food insecurity due to economic downturns, natural disasters, or other disruptions. According to the Kent County Department of Social Services, for the fiscal year 2022, an average of 1,881 households per month depended on this help to afford adequate nutrition.
The program is part of the Farm Bill, which is pending reauthorization by Congress. United Way has asked Congress to prioritize protecting and strengthening SNAP, noting that it “has and continues to stabilize families when their assets and incomes are limited and ensures that babies, mothers, children, and families have access to nutritious food in tough times.”
The United Way Kent County supports the Kent County Community Food Pantry, the Rock Hall Blessing Bag Program, the MD Food Bank Mobile Truck, and Pantry on the Go programs with grants to support residents who need food support. It also convenes the KCMD Local Food Council once a month made up of 24 local partners working together to understand how to address and develop more food security and coordinate the wrap-around services needed for these residents.
The United Way statement adds that “despite the work United Ways and other nonprofits are doing to address hunger at the local level, the non-governmental sector cannot do this work alone. Federal policy support is paramount and remains a critical lever in addressing hunger. We commend Congress for taking early steps to engage partners on the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization. We ask Congress to strengthen and protect these vital anti-hunger programs and look for innovative ways to ensure children and families have the food and nutrition needed to thrive.”