Fighting for TEFAP

I recently traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with members of Congress to urge them to protect and maintain The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).   Under the Federal Government’s relentless drive to cut the budget, we’re facing a 20% cut in this critical USDA program, which provides almost a quarter of the food The Greater Boston Food Bank distributes. If the cuts are made, we’ll lose food that would provide almost 1.3 million meals for hungry people in Eastern Massachusetts. At GBFB, we understand the need to balance the budget, but we don’t think forcing low-income Americans to bear the burden is the way to do it.  TEFAP should be growing, not being cut, but there is a restriction on budget amendments and the government’s volatility these days makes it nearly impossible to advance an issue or protect an existing program. Federal gridlock is real.  The current political environment seems increasingly unlikely to yield help for the growing number of those who are most vulnerable and hurting in our community.  This is frustrating and infuriating, and our resources to make a difference are so limited. Here is how each of us stays in this fight and remains hopeful:  Remember the person who has no voice; and continue to speak loudly on their behalf to those who will listen as well as to those who will not. Hunger does not discriminate who it hurts.  Almost half of those at risk for hunger in Eastern Massachusetts earn too much to qualify for government assistance, such as food stamps, yet still need help to make ends meet.  These families never thought they’d need a food pantry or community meals program to feed themselves and their children. Your advocacy is critical.  Visit our Advocate section and learn how you can join your voice to help end hunger here. Thank you, Catherine D’Amato President/CEO