Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Proposal Leaves Most Vulnerable Food Stamp Recipients Behind

White House Proposed Reductions Will Cut More Than 200,000 Recipients From Food Stamp Program

CHICAGO --- February 7, 2005 --- President Bush’s Fiscal Year 2006 budget released today proposes a $500 million reduction in the Food Stamp Program over the next five years by cutting off food supply to more than 200,000 of America's most low-income population. 

Currently, only 59 percent of Americans who are eligible for the Food Stamp Program are participating in the program.  The Fiscal Year 2006 budget features a proposed $57 million in Food Stamp Program savings, which the Administration would reach by denying states the ability to streamline eligibility for the Food Stamp Program through coordination with state Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs — a provision that was granted to states in 1996 welfare legislation.  This change would provide additional barriers for the many Americans seeking assistance from the Food Stamp Program.

"We recognize that a reduction in the Fiscal Year 2006 budget is critical to the overall health of the nation's economy," said Robert Forney, president and chief executive officer for America's Second Harvest—The Nation's Food Bank Network.  "However, we are disappointed that the White House proposal singles out Food Stamp Program recipients as they are among the most vulnerable Americans."

President Bush's budget proposal provides $190 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and $107 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which maintains Fiscal Year 2005 funding levels.

"According to the USDA, more than 36 million Americans are suffering from hunger or at risk of hunger," said Forney.  "This figure has increased for three straight years, and so have the lines at soup kitchens, food pantries and Kids Cafes across the country.  It is critical for federal funding to keep pace with the growing demands of hunger in America."

Contact:
America's Second Harvest
Maura Daly, Communication Manager
312-263-2303, ext. 162