One of the first lines of defense when someone like James falls into homelessness or poverty is our safety net programs including SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program that is more commonly known as Food Stamps) and Medicaid. These programs are literally lifeline for many families struggling to survive. They are investment in the people of this country that help them during times of distress, pull them out of poverty, and fuel our collective economic progress.

However, instead of ensuring prosperity for all Americans, the proposed FY 2018 federal budget from the current administration promises big cuts to our safety net programs. For example, one of the proposed cuts include ending the federal commitment to provide a minimum basic food benefit through SNAP/food stamps, by shifting 25 percent of the cost to states and allowing states to cut benefits in order to avoid those costs. The proposed cut also denies eligibility or benefits to millions of people, including seniors, people with disabilities, and jobless individuals without dependents.

At HIP, we think this is completely unacceptable. These critical programs need to be strengthened to make sure everyone in this country has a fair chance to succeed and no one goes hungry no matter their circumstances. We need as many individuals and organizations sign this letter to our congregational delegation opposing cuts to the safety net proposed in this budget. Please take a few minutes to sign this letter and if you are part of an organization, whether it is a company, faith organization, labor union, nonprofit, or any other organization, get them to sign on to this letter as well. We need to show up strong together to make sure we can protect these critical programs from being eliminated.