To the editor:

It is both inspiring and frustrating to know that hunger is a problem we can solve. Does our government have a role to play in reaching a solution?

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is our nation’s most important antihunger program: 46 million of our neighbors — that’s one in seven Americans — participates in this program, formerly known as Food Stamps, that works with a debit card that can only be used to purchase food.

The good news is that, since the initiation of the Food Stamp program 50 years ago, hunger and malnutrition have become a less serious problem in our country. Former Sen. Bob Dole has described the Food Stamp program as the most important advance in the nation’s social programs since the creation of Social Security.

The more difficult news is that the U.S. House of Representatives Budget Committee just voted to cut more than $133 billion — or about 17 percent — of the funding for SNAP for the coming decade. The committee has provided little information on how the cuts would be achieved.

Some committee members have suggested that responsibility for feeding the poor lies with the churches. Simple math leads to the conclusion that, if each church in America contributed just $50,000 more, we’d have our solution!

While I love the notion of such prosperous and generous faith communities, in reality, we in the churches have significant work to do to achieve that vision.

I am also inspired by a vision of our whole society joining together to support what’s best for all, including those on the margins. Faith communities are already deployed on the front lines, fending off disaster for millions by offering food, clothing, shelter and more. We’re always seeking to expand our care.

Hungry seniors, struggling families and malnourished children need food, from whatever source. While faith communities may be a source of inspiration and a line of defense, every sincere solution to the challenge of poverty involves engagement by our government.

Let’s insist that our elected officials be realistic, and let’s encourage our government to maintain its support for all our citizens. Hunger is a problem we can solve together.

Rev. Bill Bliss
pastor
Neighborhood Faith Community
United Church of Christ
Bath