Hunger in America

The visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday with the group from the New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) was a memorable experience.

We visited the congressional offices of 7 New York City representatives, most of whom are quite progressive and eager to support maintaining full funding for anti-hunger programs such as SNAP-Food Stamps (Suppmental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants and Children nutritional assistance programs). WIC, in particular, is under assault as a result of the sequester. Some 600,000 women and children are losing access to nutritious food and nutrition counseling through WIC as a result of the automatic cuts linked to sequestration.

Unfortunately, we were not able to meet with the representatives themselves, but their aides were knowledgeable and receptive. The offices visited included Representative Rangel's of Harlem, Nadler from the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and Michael Grimm on Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. Grimm is an especially important target, as he is a Republican and tends not to be as supportive of issues relating to poverty and hunger.

On the whole, I was impressed with the dedication and commitment of these staffers. And I was proud to make these visits with members of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger. All these activists are really seeking is simple justice for the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who can't be certain where their next meal is coming from.