Budget ax could hurt the needy

By Bill Bolling

Our national food bank network, Feeding America, has released the results of its landmark study, “Hunger in America 2010,” revealing a 46 percent increase in emergency services since the last report in 2006. Georgia isn’t immune: We endured a 35 percent spike in demand for emergency food distribution at the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) this year alone.

Given what we already know about the state of the economy, and what we’ve seen happening to our friends and neighbors, the results were not surprising — but that does not make them any less alarming. When hard-working families are forced to make choices between eating and paying for rent or heat, it impacts our faith in the power of our community. As Georgians, we can do better for our state and our citizens.

The ACFB and our 700 partner agencies are a key resource in preventing hunger, but even a vast network such as ours cannot do it alone. Among the programs available to help our neighbors in crisis, the Food Stamp Program (now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) is our nation’s most successful.

The Food Stamp Program currently helps 33.5 million Americans bridge the gap between what they earn and what they need to put sufficient food on the table. Unfortunately, there are still far too many people eligible for food stamps who don’t receive them. In Georgia, 35 percent of our fellow eligible citizens are not participating.

Helping people access food stamps is not only the right thing to do for families; it’s also smart for Georgia’s economy, extremely smart. If we increase participation in the program by just 5 percent, it generates an estimated $72 million of economic activity in Georgia. USDA reports that every $5 in food stamp benefits generates $9.20 in total economic activity. Dollar for dollar, there is no better stimulus expenditure. Improving access to food stamps also affects our health, our ability to learn and our productivity at work.

As the 2010 Georgia legislative session progresses, we are facing budget deficits for administering or delivering several programs, including food stamps. The situation for our friends and neighbors who have lost their jobs is urgent — food stamp applications in Georgia were up 30 percent from October of 2008 through October of 2009. At the same time, caseworkers are facing furloughs, dramatically increased caseloads, and fewer working days. This is not a recipe for success or for adequate provision of assistance.

If we do not act, Georgians in need will suffer. The Senate budget office projects that state revenues might not return to normal until after 2015. As a result, food stamps could become even more restricted in the coming years, just when our citizens need that help the most. Long-term funding and revenue enhancements must be considered by the General Assembly alongside cuts to services.

Georgia should invest fully in programs that keep our families’ food secure, as well as in other areas, such as public safety, health and our education system. In these critical areas, resources are falling far short of a rapidly increasing need. These areas all improve our long-term economic health and respond to high unemployment. When history examines our response to this recession, how will we be judged? Will history reflect on how we came together to help one another? We must all take better care of each other, and our legislators must take care not to cut the very things that could make a difficult situation worse. It’s time to think more strategically and work smarter. The quality of life for every Georgian depends on it.

Bill Bolling is founder and executive director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank.