Congresswoman DeLauro At Price Chopper To Discuss Cuts In Food Assistance Program

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who represents our city in Washington, will appear at the Price Chopper on Washington Street to discuss the impact of recent budget cuts on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program, colloquially known as Food Stamps, is cut by 5.5% per month effective TODAY. 

She, with several anti-hunger advocates and community leaders, will address, the economic impact of SNAP cuts on food stores and the price of food, the inability of food banks to fill the increased need resulting from SNAP cuts, and the impact of SNAP cuts on Connecticut families.

The Press Conference will be Friday November 1st, at 1:30 PM.  If a reader of The Eye would like to attend and submit a report, other readers would appreciate it.

Effective November 1^st, more than 400,000 SNAP recipients in Connecticut will find themselves having to stretch a dollar even farther as benefits are cut by 5.5% ($11 per month for a one person household, $20 for a two person household, $39 for a three person household and $36 for a four person household).    One of the first projects of the American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009 was to increase SNAP benefits by 13% as an immediate economic stimulus.  The increase was to remain in effect until the programs regular inflation rate caught up with the maximum SNAP benefits that exceeded the ARRA increase.  This increase, which has helped thousands out of poverty in Connecticut, will end early on November 1^st.

Beyond helping Connecticut residents to afford nutritious food for themselves and their families, SNAP is an important economic driver, bringing $1.78 to the economy for every $1 in benefits distributed.  Of note, 91% of SNAP benefits are spent within the first week they are received.