Thank you for focusing on local responses to child hunger (Gazette editorial, “Some kids go hungry here, too,” Sept. 12). But, if some Washington politicians have their way, the problem may still get worse.

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food for more than 20 million kids. And it works — the childhood hunger rate would be much higher without SNAP. Making food more affordable also reduces child poverty, because fewer parents must make the heartbreaking choice between paying the rent and putting food on the table.

Some in Congress have proposed deep cuts to SNAP. With 47 cents of every SNAP dollar going to children, there’s no way their plan won’t deny food to kids.

Yes, the federal government has budget problems. But hungry kids didn’t cause them and making child hunger worse is the wrong way to solve them.

Bruce Lesley

President

First Focus

Campaign

for Children

Washington, D.C.