Californians go hungry while we ship tax dollars to Washington.
This isn’t a rant about ruinous taxation. It’s about hunger.
The “net” of yesterday’s news that is that 45% of the Californians eligible for food assistance through SNAP aren’t enrolled.
We pay taxes for a program to help the least well-off among us, then don’t encourage those who are in need to apply. Smart?
Two hundred dollars is the cap on monthly benefits, so it’s not a huge amount. And CalFresh, the state arm of SNAP, representatives admit that signing up is more bothersome than it should be.
But if food stamps put food on the table, so families don’t have to choose between rent, gas and food, we are all better off.
The Great Recession may be receding, but lots of people are being left behind by the recovery. People who may never work again, or never again in their field. Their budgets may be pinched for as far as they can imagine.
Maybe you’ve seen Matt Damon in a public service announcement about hunger and food banks. His message is that there is no stigma in needing help.
If you’re in need of help, reach out for help. Sign up for the benefits your taxes and mine support.
If you’re comfortable, support your local food bank. Then, don’t stand for politicians who demean the hungry and programs that support them.
Image courtesy of nutrilover.
