Why are you still fasting? Haven’t the courts ordered the government to restore SNAP benefits?
My understanding of the emergency SNAP funds that the court ordered the government to begin distributing is that the original intent of those funds, which were authorized at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, were to be used for people who lost jobs or income because of widespread economic disruption. Apparently, the court believes that the disruption caused by a lengthy government shutdown is also a legitimate reason to use those funds.
However, the emergency funds only meet about 50% of the expected need. Some states, like Michigan, have been able to allocate money towards SNAP benefits. But even in Michigan, which has allocated enough to meet about 1/3 of the expected need, recipients will fall about 17% short of the full benefit.
SNAP is intended to supplement low income families, who may be spending a high proportion of their income on rent, heat, and transportation to get to work, so they can also afford better and more nutritious food. The maximum benefit is $298 for one person and $218 for each additional person (to a maximum of eight people). That is less than $10 a day. How much do you spend on food per day? For people who are working and barely making it through the month, relying on support from food pantries and other sources, every dollar counts.
The recipients of SNAP funds are our friends and neighbors. The vast majority are not freeloaders and criminals, taking advantage of our tax dollars instead of going out and getting a job. They are hardworking people barely scraping by. For some, the government shutdown is an inconvenience. For others, it is life-threatening.
Among the priorities of the Democrats is a desire to make sure that the Affordable Care Act remains affordable and low income people can afford insurance. And among the priorities of the Republicans is a desire to lower taxes and encourage investment in businesses which will provide employment. I am fasting until the leadership of both parties sit down together and figure out a way for each side to get some of what they want and reopen the government. This is a bipartisan fast. I’m calling on people from both sides of the aisle to join me in this daily sunrise to sunset fast, along with making donations to organizations that address hunger, to pressure the majority and minority leadership of the Senate and the President to come to the table and find a solution.
Add your name to the growing number of people fasting at FastforSNAP.com.
Embodied Torah 