SNAPshot: Why Food Assistance Matters For Coloradans
As renewed threats to vital social safety net programs emerge at the state and federal levels, it is more important now than ever before to establish a clear and common understanding of why these programs exist, how they are funded and administered, who is eligible to enroll in these programs, and what the overall broader economic impact that benefits us all actually is. To that end, CFI published an issue brief SNAPshot: Why Food Assistance Matters For Coloradans to highlights why food assistance, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), matters so much to Colorado families and communities.
The brief is part of a more comprehensive report set to be released in May that will detail the expansive impact of social safety net programs, such as SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, Medicaid, and Medicare. These programs are often derided and debated in the context of funding cuts. However, at their core, they represent vital public investments that help otherwise struggling families make ends meet and help the economy survive and stabilize during downturns.
SNAP doesn’t just help those who are eligible and enroll in the program to get the assistance they need, but it also helps counteract the effects of economic downturns and recessions, which helps us all.
As Congress debates new Farm Bill provisions that threaten to cut food assistance for millions of low-income families across the country, understanding the purpose and context of these programs is essential for policymakers, advocates, and communities across Colorado.
Read the full issue brief here.
If you’re concerned about this, there are three things you can do:
- Share this report with your social media networks, and feel free to tag CFI or follow us for more updates on this work on Twitter or Facebook.
- Contact your Member of Congress and tell them SNAP matters for Colorado families and they should protect food assistance for Coloradans in need, and for the health of our economy.
- While Congress is on recess this week (April 30-May 3), find out if your Member of Congress is holding a public forum where you can make your voice heard about this important issue.
