Statement Attributed to Vince Hall, Chief Government Relations Officer
“Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, applauds the House of Representatives for passage of the Build Back Better Act, which would increase investments to help end child hunger. The bill includes funding for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program, which will help 29 million children access food during the summer, and an expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which will expand free school meals to nearly nine million additional children. It also continues the recent expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC), making its full value available to the families of 27 million children who previously earned too little to receive the full benefit. Together, these provisions will provide significant help toward helping children who often do not know where they will get their next meal, particularly in communities of color who suffer disproportionately from hunger.
“As the House finalizes consideration of FY22 appropriations, Feeding America emphasizes the need for additional investments in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This innovative program, which moves food from farmers and producers to food banks and to our neighbors in need, is an additional essential step in fighting to end child hunger. Food banks continue to see demand for services above pre-pandemic levels, and additional investments will be necessary to ensure we can continue to help our communities.
“All children must have adequate nutrition to learn, grow, and thrive. We urge the Senate to act quickly in passing a bill that also includes these critical provisions for our nation’s children. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and the administration to advance policies and programs to solve child hunger.”
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About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.