"Right now, families across the state are still grappling with pandemic-related issues like rising food and fuel costs, crippling supply chain issues and more. If this bill goes forward, Kentucky kids and their families are going to pay the price," said Davis.
Contact: Adrienne Carter, acarter@strength.org
Washington, DC – Last week, the Kentucky Legislature passed HB 7, which would make it harder for Kentucky residents to access critical public benefits like SNAP. The following is a statement from Share Our Strength’s Senior Vice President Lisa Davis calling on Governor Beshear to veto this legislation:
“Last week, by passing HB 7, Kentucky’s legislature voted to make it harder for Kentuckians to access food assistance programs like SNAP, at a time when families across the state are still grappling with pandemic-related issues like rising food and fuel costs, crippling supply chain issues and more.
“Though some of the most harmful provisions of this legislation were dropped during the amendment process, the legislation will still have a profound impact, especially on Kentucky’s kids. Because of its potential impact on the Community Eligibility Program, HB 7 could mean hundreds of thousands of kids lose access to free school meals. In addition, it could impact the state’s most vulnerable kids–those aged 0-5–as child care facilities could lose funding to feed kids.
“If this bill goes forward, Kentucky kids and their families are going to pay the price. We urge Governor Beshear to veto the legislation, and for lawmakers to work with Kentucky organizations to ensure continued program integrity.
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About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 1 in 6 kids could face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.