Through Maryland Hunger Solutions’ Paper Apple Campaign, Hundreds of Marylanders Declare “SNAP Works”
Proposed Farm Bill Cuts to Program Would Mean Lost Meals for Struggling Households
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kirsten Bokenkamp, 202-986-2200 x 3974; kbokenkamp@frac.org
Baltimore, Md. – August 14, 2012 –Hundreds of Marylanders from every county in the state are declaring “SNAP Works” and joining Maryland Hunger Solutions’ Paper Apple Campaign to show their support for the program and to voice opposition to proposed cuts in Congress. Hundreds of paper apples will be delivered this week to the district offices of Representatives Steny Hoyer and Chris Van Hollen.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (known nationally as SNAP, and known in Maryland as the Food Supplement Program) benefits more than 700,000 low-income Marylanders, who have turned to the program for support amid a slowly recovering economy. The House Agriculture Committee proposal for the Farm Bill, however, would cut the program by limiting states’ ability to coordinate SNAP with two other low-income assistance programs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates these proposed cuts would cause millions across the nation to lose benefits.
“This outpouring of support for SNAP from Marylanders in every county demonstrates just how important this program is for struggling families and for our state,” said Maryland Hunger Solutions Director Cathy Demeroto. “People from all backgrounds are telling their leaders in Congress that any cut to SNAP is unacceptable.”
Each day this week, an organization will deliver a batch of “SNAP works” paper apples to the district offices of Representative Hoyer and Representative Van Hollen. Joining Maryland Hunger Solutions staff in the deliveries are The Governor's Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, Maryland Alliance for the Poor and Welfare Advocates, Eat Fresh Maryland Network, and the Maryland Food Access and Nutrition Network (MFANN).
AARP Maryland will be delivering the apples on behalf of MFANN this week. “At AARP in Maryland we are developing partnerships to help find the root causes of hunger; develop solutions; and protect benefits such as SNAP so no older adult will have to choose between their medications, or heating their home in lieu of food,” said Hank Greenberg, State Director of AARP Maryland. “The Paper Apple Campaign is driving home the message with Maryland legislators to preserve much needed SNAP benefits."
Maryland Hunger Solutions’ Paper Apple Campaign asks Marylanders to draw or write their solution to hunger in Maryland. Since launching in December 2011, more than 800 apples have been collected, coming from every county. In the past month alone, hundreds of apples with the message of “SNAP Works” have been collected.
“Apples are pouring in from senior citizens, service providers, kids, the faith community, advocates, and parents who have turned to SNAP to help feed their families,” Demeroto said. “The people are different, but the message is the same: ‘SNAP Works.’”
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Follow this link to learn more about the Paper Apple Campaign.
