Today, nearly one in four children in this country is facing hunger. That is why Feeding America supports a well-funded Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill.
The Child Nutrition Act includes federal child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast and the National School Lunch Programs, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which all play a vital role in addressing the needs of food-insecure children.
The current authorization for the Child Nutrition Act expires on September 30, 2010. As a result, Congress needs to finish the five-year reauthorization of this act prior to that date.
UPDATE:
The bill passed the the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on March 24, 2010. Feeding America and its network applaud the committee's efforts and look forward working with the full Senate to approve a comprehensive and fully-funded Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill. Read the press release issued by Feeding America on the bill passage.
Who does it affect?
Millions of low-income children benefit from the healthy food provided by federal child nutrition programs, however too many hungry children are not being reached by current child nutrition programs.
Subsidized school meals play a critical role in addressing childhood hunger during the school day. Sadly, when school is out, such as afternoons, on the weekends, or in summer, children do not have access to nutritious meals they need to thrive.
What can I do to help?
Now is the time to call your Senator and ask for their support in fully funding Child Nutrition Reauthorization at the President’s proposed level of $10 billion over 10 years. Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Senator.
Ask them to support the Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill at the proposed $1 billion dollar budget. Tell them that no child should go hungry and that you support the President’s goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015. For more information about engaging in advocacy visit our Hunger Action Center.