Congress to make decisions on SNAP program
Soon our Senators and Congressmen will be making some important decisions about the future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — also known as SNAP and formerly known as food stamps. We need to make certain that they give careful consideration to the facts and not fall prey to erroneous myths and stereotypes about who benefits from America’s most important food and nutrition program.
In fact, more than 6,500 Greene County residents — nearly 18 percent of the population; more than 30,000 Fayette County residents — nearly 23 percent of the population; and more than 24,000 Washington County residents — nearly 12 percent of the population, rely on SNAP.
Another fact is that many of the hardest working people in our area and throughout Pennsylvania depend on SNAP to stay healthy enough to do their jobs.
More than 25 percent of the Commonwealth’s maids and housekeeping cleaners, door-to-door sales people, psychiatric and home health aides, and warehouse packers rely on SNAP to help cover the costs of their grocery and nutritional needs.
More than one in five dishwashers, food preparation workers and cashiers do the same.
The stereotypes about who SNAP helps are just plain wrong. Our fellow taxpayers who need help to feed their families are the same people we all rely upon for so many things we may take for granted:
n 20 percent of all cooks 16 percent of child care workers 16 percent of janitors and building cleaners 15 percent of waiters and waitresses 14 percent of bus drivers 13 percent of manufacturing assemblers and fabricators 11 percent of chefs and head cooks 9 percent of preschool and kindergarten teachers 8 percent of carpenters
Thousands of other workers in Pennsylvania also rely on SNAP to put food on their tables, including:
n 9,695 secretaries and administrative assistants 4,731 registered nurses 2,565 accountants and auditors 2,329 elementary and middle school teachers 1,705 electricians
n 1,174 post-secondary teachers
The vast majority of SNAP beneficiaries are people who cannot or are not expected to work. Of all households in Pennsylvania that receive SNAP benefits, 34 percent have a senior citizen, 45 percent have a child or children, and 51 percent have a person with a disability in the home.
People that can work, and can find jobs, do so and receive SNAP benefits for only a brief period – 16 months is the average in Pennsylvania. These people pay their fair share of taxes and have SNAP to rely upon when they are unable to afford three square meals a day.
Everyone in Pennsylvania needs to eat. SNAP makes sure hard working Pennsylvanians are able to do so.
Candace Tustin Executive Director, Corner Cupboard Food Bank
Lisa Scales, President and CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank