This week, the House of Representatives will begin debating the Farm Bill.  The House proposal would cut SNAP (3SquaresVT) by $20.5 billion over the next 10 years.  That’s a loss of 8 billion meals, or the meal equivalent of the entire Feeding America network of 202 food banks shutting down for 2.5 years.  We cannot let this happen.

Help us send a message to Congress by joining our National Call-in Day and spreading the word.  A phone call is THE most effective way to deliver this message, but e-mail and social media options are also listed below.  This is a critical opportunity to demonstrate strong support for SNAP and to protect programs that help put food on the table for Americans struggling with hunger.

Calling Congress is easy.  Here’s how:

  • Call the toll-free hotline at 866-527-1087.
  • Listen to the pre-recorded message and enter your zip code when prompted.  Once you are connected to your Representative, state that you are a constituent and give your name and the town you are calling from.  Be sure to give the name of the food bank or local agency with which you are affiliated.
  • Let them know you are calling about the Farm Bill and deliver this important message:

As your constituent, I am asking you to vote against the House Farm Bill due to the cuts to SNAP.  With so many families still struggling to put food on the table, it is important to protect and strengthen programs like SNAP and TEFAP.  I understand the need to reduce the deficit, but increasing hunger is not the way to do it.

In Vermont specifically, our Representative is Peter Welch.  Here are four ways to contact him:

Again, a phone call is the most effective way to deliver the message that we do not want cuts to SNAP and 3SquaresVT.  Calling will only take a moment and you are welcome to use the short script above.

Once you take action, please consider posting in the comments below or to the Vermont Foodbank Facebook page.