Federal lawmakers are still trying to pass a $900 billion Coronavirus relief bill before the end of year. Before the pandemic, about 30 million Americans were food insecure, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) said in a press conference Wednesday in Fresno. Since the pandemic, he said that number has increased to another 8 million.
Valley food banks have collectively reported that as much as 25% to 40% of people they have been serving in the last six to eight months have never needed food assistance before. The stimulus package hopes to address that increase.
Out of the $13 billion earmarked for nutrition programs, Costa expects about $400 million in emergency food assistance would go to Valley programs, like food banks. Costa said the need is urgent.
“Twenty-five percent of my constituents rely on SNAP or the Women, Infants and Children program and food banks and churches that provide, as well as other organizations, food box programs,” he said.
If the bill is passed, SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will get a 15% boost in funding. It would also allow for people receiving unemployment insurance to continue receiving SNAP at the same time. Becky Gershon, senior policy advocate for the California Association of Food Banks put it in context.
“For example, for a single person on SNAP, currently their maximum benefit would be $204 dollars per month, but that would be raised to $234 a month, so that’s a really meaningful increase and we recognize that,” she said.
Lawmakers could attempt another vote on the package as early as Monday.
