Advocates Hold Press Conference on Food Stamp Bill

On Wednesday, advocates held a press conference regarding the pending legislation that could cause tens of thousands of Missouri parents and children to lose access to benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under SB  4, sponsored by Senator David Sater (R-Cassville), new sanctions would be imposed upon recipients failing to comply with federal work requirements. Both children and adults would lose their SNAP benefits under the program if SB 4 were to pass.

Advocates participating in the press conference were from Empower Missouri, the Missouri Catholic Conference, and the Missouri Community Action Network, along with about a dozen other not-for-profit organizations. The groups spoke about the benefits of SNAP as an anti-hunger program and largest child nutrition program. Nearly one out of six Missourians in rural Missouri and one out of eight urban Missourians rely on SNAP for a portion of their daily food needs.

The advocates had come together to testify against SB 4 before the Senate Committee on Seniors, Families, and Children, but the hearing was postponed until next week.