Leader McConnell’s Proposal Falls Woefully Short of Investments Needed to Address Food and Economic Hardship

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2020 — Senate Majority Leader McConnell’s proposed COVID-19 response omits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit boosts and falls woefully short of the investments needed to address food and economic hardship and jump-start economic recovery. The pandemic relief proposal fails to meet the needs of the growing number of hungry households that have been significantly impacted by this public health and economic crisis. The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) calls on lawmakers to reject the McConnell proposal and instead redouble efforts to quickly craft and enact a package with SNAP boosts that would get meals onto struggling Americans’ kitchen tables and stimulate economic growth.

‘Rolling Rally’ Lights Up Senate Phone Lines and Social Media, Urges Boosts to SNAP in Next COVID-19 Recovery Package

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2020 — #BoostSNAPNow trended on Twitter today as numerous organizations and individuals from across the country welcomed back their Senators from recess with posted videos and photos urging them to act quickly to pass a COVID-19 recovery package that boosts SNAP benefits. The ‘Rolling Rally’ campaign led by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), in coordination with the Children’s Defense Fund, Coalition on Human Needs, and First Focus Campaign for Children, also mobilized individuals and organizations to “ring and rally” their Senators in conjunction with the digital push. 

Report Reveals COVID-19 Exacerbating Already Alarming Food Insecurity Rates and Health and Racial Inequities in Southern States

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2020 — The public health and economic crisis created by COVID-19 is exacerbating the already alarming rates of food insecurity in the Southern Region of the United States, according to Hunger, Health, and the Federal Nutrition Programs: A Profile of the Southern Region, a new report released today by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). The report analyzes poverty rates, food insecurity levels and federal nutrition program participation in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The findings suggest increased participation in federal nutrition programs is critical to addressing the struggle against hunger.

Nearly 2,500 Organizations Urge Senate to Boost SNAP Benefits

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2020 — Nearly 2,500 organizations from across the country signed on to a letter urging the Senate to boost SNAP benefits in the next coronavirus relief package. The letter asks for a 15 percent boost in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) maximum benefit, an increase in the SNAP minimum monthly benefit from $16 to $30, and a suspension of SNAP time limits and rules changes that would cut SNAP eligibility and benefits.