Thanks to Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania for sharing this alert.
As Christians, we pray for daily bread, not just for ourselves, but for our neighbors. We believe we are called to act for a just world, where all are fed. In this time of pandemic, our congregations and ministries have been finding new ways and new energy to feed our communities. Now, when lawmakers are making budget choices, it’s clear that the State Food Purchase Program must be a priority.
Urge your lawmakers to increase funding for the State Food Purchase Program. (NOTE: You do not need to be Lutheran to use this action page.)
The State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) was created in 1983 to provide a lifeline to Pennsylvanians at the height of the recession. Since then, it has helped millions of our neighbors have enough to eat — some of it by way of our congregational food pantries.
Currently, at $18.188 million, we know it is not sufficient funding to support the increase in demand we have experienced over the last 10 weeks, and we know it won’t be enough to cover our needs in the near future.
The onset of the current pandemic has provided the best evidence since then of the unique role this program plays in providing food assistance to low-income, unemployed and underemployed Pennsylvanians.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the federal government has provided increased commodities to food banks. While this aid is vital and greatly appreciated, food banks have little control over which food items are acquired. Many “most needed” items are not among the government commodities and must be purchased. In addition, as the American consumer reacted to the COVID-19 crisis, millions changed their buying habits overnight, resulting in food shortages, particularly of dry goods. This had a disproportionate impact on low-income families, many of whom were unable to purchase shelf-stable staples.
Mercifully, during this time, the State Food Purchase Program allowed Pennsylvania food banks to continue to partner with Pennsylvania small business distributors to keep a steady supply of dry and shelf-stable foods in the charitable supply chain. Once again, SFPP has proven to be Pennsylvania’s most important tool in the fight against hunger.
Pennsylvanians in need rely on food banks for essential nutritional assistance. Food banks rely on SFPP for foundational support to make this assistance possible. Please support an appropriation of $24 million for the State Food Purchase Program in the Commonwealth’s 2020-2021 budget.
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