Mayor Nutter’s Statement on the Food Stamp Challenge « City of Philadelphia's News & Alerts
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Philadelphia, April 23, 2012 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter has released the following statement on the Food Stamp Challenge, sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia:
“SNAP benefits are a critical safety net for low-income and working class families, seniors, children and those struggling with the aftereffects of the Recession. Continuing cuts to a program that is already experiencing significant reductions and now adding the new asset test are unacceptable and cruel policy decisions. We need to be encouraging SNAP participants to buy healthy foods with their benefits, not forcing them to eat cheaply so they can eat at all.Despite the nearly 1 in 3 Philadelphians who use SNAP benefits to supplement their income and feed their families, there are another 180,000 estimated Philadelphians who are eligible to receive benefits. If you qualify for SNAP, or think you might, please call the Food Stamp Hotline at 215-430-0556.”