The Washington State Food Assistance Program was reduced by 50 percent in the 2012 legislative session, half of which was restored in 2013, in the midst of the Great Recession.
A total of 33,000 people, 45 percent of whom are children, live in households impacted by this program reduction. Many of them are our neighbors right here in Kent. Nearly all of them are immigrant children of color, whose families lost a comparatively larger share of income and equity during the recession — and who continue to struggle to put healthy food on tables and keep up with other expenses.
Childhood hunger is a major impediment to educational success among other areas of childhood success. Health care professionals, both medical and behavioral, teachers and parents understand the links between poor health, inadequate nutrition and the opportunity gap for our children.
Washington’s global competitiveness in this 21st century economy depends on all children having a clear path to travel toward a decent life: health, an education, a strong family. Ending the remaining 25 percent cut to state food assistance, especially now in a recovering state economy, is a sound investment in our future.
Both chambers of the Legislature have shown leadership to fully restore state food assistance. When the legislature restored half of the 50-percent reduction in the state food assistance program two years ago to present level, State Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, was a leader in that effort. Kudos to Sen. Fain for stepping up to that leadership role. This year, state Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, helped lead the House in proposing a full restoration.
Join me in asking Sen. Fain to pick up that role again here late in the 2015 legislative session to restore to whole the state food assistance program.
Hungry kids in Kent schools can’t wait any longer. Our economy can’t wait. Learning can’t wait while we let poor, recession-era choices stick around.
Legislators must know, it’s time to end the cut to state food assistance.
– Mike Heinisch, executive director, Kent Youth and Family Services
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