Hi there,
As we round the corner on the COVID-19 pandemic and communities begin to reopen, our country is facing another crisis. A recent report released by Feeding America projects that 42 million people, including 13 million children, may experience food insecurity in 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic has played a significant role in rising food insecurity numbers, and it has worsened existing racial disparities in food insecurity. As of mid-March, nearly 11% of people in a Census Bureau survey said they sometimes didn't have enough food in the previous week. For families of color, these numbers can be two or even three times higher.
My mother grew up in a poor farm family that experienced famine & hunger. So for me, this issue hits close to home. American families should never have to worry about where their next meal will come from -- or worry about not having food on the table at all.
We've made some progress this year by passing the American Rescue Plan, which increased SNAP benefits and provided critical help for working parents, but we can't stop there. Hunger in America has been an issue since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and we still have a long way to go if we want to make sure all American families have access to affordable and nutritious food.
Andy Kim
