JALSA in Shalom Magazine on the Jewish Responsibility to End Hunger

Full article in Shalom Magazine at this link.

The Assault on SNAP and the Jewish Commitment to Ending Hunger
By Cindy Rowe

The Torah clearly tells us that feeding the hungry is a fundamental imperative of Judaism. It is a solemn duty of the entire community to ensure that every person has enough to eat. Leviticus 23:22 instructs us that “when you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop (the gleanings). Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you.”

Similarly, Deuteronomy 15:7-8 urges us to “be open-handed” with those in need, not “hard-hearted or tight-fisted.” Also, we begin our Passover Seders every year by saying “may all who are hungry come and eat.” Our Jewish faith is steeped in the idea that no one should ever go hungry.

This commitment to combatting hunger was a central motivation in recent years as the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action worked with Project Bread and other allies on the Feed Kids Campaign. This multi-organization, multi-faith effort was the driving force behind the successful passage in our state budget of permanent funding of universal school meals. In Massachusetts, all K-12 students now have access to free breakfast and lunch – a major victory toward fighting hunger in our Commonwealth (as well as ensuring that all students are ready to learn and they are empowered to realize their full potential).

Unfortunately, and quite cruelly, the most important national program for combatting hunger in America – SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) – has recently come under assault by the federal administration. SNAP nutrition benefits for nearly 42 million Americans – including more than one million people here in Massachusetts – have been in a state of jeopardy. Further, the one million SNAP recipients in the Commonwealth represent some of our most vulnerable residents. 24% are 60 years old or older; 32% are children; and, 28% are severely disabled.

During the recent federal government shutdown, the Trump Administration unlawfully refused to tap into the nearly $5 billion USDA contingency fund that was purposefully created to maintain benefits during this type of situation. In response, two dozen states, co-led by Massachusetts, sued to force the USDA to tap those funds. Even when the courts ruled that the funds must be used, the federal administration continued to drag its feet and attempted to delay the release of SNAP funds.

As a result, countless families who have relied on the certainty of knowing that this support would arrive with regularity were thrown into turmoil. Imagine the fear you would have if you didn’t know if you would be able to afford groceries for your children this week, next week, and beyond. And this directly affects one in six Massachusetts residents!

Though the shutdown was resolved, there remain many devastating cuts to SNAP and newly imposed restrictions on SNAP eligibility due to recent federal legislation. Work requirements for people on SNAP and forced time limits have been expanded, jeopardizing SNAP eligibility for up to 100,000 current SNAP recipients in Massachusetts. The legislation also curtailed SNAP eligibility for up to 10,000 legally present immigrants – specifically many refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, and domestic violence survivors.

SNAP is also an economic benefit for local farmers and grocers. Each year, SNAP brings into Massachusetts around $2.5 billion in federal dollars. Each dollar of SNAP benefits spent in-state generates about $1.50 to $1.70 for local economies.

State government can play a vital role in ensuring that Massachusetts families still have enough to eat. Within the $60 billion annual state budget, the Governor and Legislature have a moral and fiscal obligation to ensure that Bay State residents never face this crisis again, either through tapping into the state's $8 billion “Rainy Day” fund or using unspent funds within the annual budget.

You can take meaningful action in accordance with our Jewish values to make sure that our state’s most vulnerable people have the funds they need to eat. Visit www.JALSA.org and sign up for JALSA’s weekly Action Alert newsletter e-mail. It’s the best way to stay up-to-date as we pursue justice. Tzedek, tzedek tirdof!