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Leahy Asks
White House To Reverse Policy
That Cuts
Aid To Food Banks
(TUES.,
Dec. 24) -- Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is calling on the Bush
Administration to change its policy on commodity purchases for food
banks, citing recent reports that show a significant rise in requests
for emergency food.
The U.S.
Conference of Mayors on Dec. 18 released a survey of 25 cities –
including Burlington, Vt. – showing that requests for emergency food
aid have risen by an average of 19 percent in 2002. The survey found
that while donations are up, greater demand has forced 48 percent of
the surveyed cities to reduce the amount of food given to families.
Burlington reported a 6 percent increase in demand for emergency food
assistance.
“Rural
areas need food aid as certainly as urban areas need it,” said Leahy,
who until January chairs the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on
Research, Nutrition and General Legislation. “The demand on food
shelves in Brattleboro and Woodbury has risen by 30 percent this
year. Far too many families are struggling to feed their families
this holiday season.”
President
Bush toured a Washington-area food bank on Dec. 19. Citing growing
needs, he called on Americans to donate more food to food banks.
Meanwhile, said Leahy, the Bush Administration is severely curtailing
government donations of food commodities to the nation’s charities.
The Administration announced on September 19th that it
would transfer $752 million from the Section 32 program -- which
provides funds and commodities for school lunch and other domestic
nutrition and hunger relief programs -- to a disaster assistance
program for livestock producers. As a result of the cuts in Section
32 funds, food banks will have to sharply curb their donations to
families in need. Looking at historical data, food advocacy groups
have estimated that more than 122 million fewer meals will be served
nationwide.
Senate
Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin joined Leahy in a letter to
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman three months ago, asking her to work
with Congress to provide disaster assistance to farmers without
raiding funds intended for the hungry.
Leahy
said, “I agree with the President that we all need to do more to feed
those in need. But the Agriculture Department needs to be a vigorous
part of that partnership. I hope the Administration will change
course and do the right thing by restoring these funds to help those
who are struggling and hungry.”
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