Below is a statement in support of the Hunger Relief Act, prepared by FRAC and signed by a broad coalition of anti-hunger, immigrant, religious, labor, children's, elderly, civil rights and other organizations. Recent studies confirm that, despite a strong overall economy, hunger and food insecurity are prevalent in communities across the country. While participation in the Food Stamp Program declined by more than seven million persons over the past three years, many working parents still struggle to feed their families. The toll hunger takes on individuals, families, and communities is serious. Children who lack adequate daily nutrition score lower on tests, miss school more often, have more disciplinary difficulties, and face increased health risks.
Hunger diminishes adults' health and ability to concentrate as well.
And hunger diminishes all of us as a society when we allow hunger in the midst of such affluence. Hunger has a cure and our nation must take steps to implement that cure. This legislation takes several important steps in alleviating hunger. First, it builds on the bipartisan down payment the 1998 Agricultural Research Act made in restorations of benefits for needy legal immigrants. The Hunger Relief Act restores food stamp eligibility to all otherwise eligible legal immigrants.