PITTSBURGH, PA – For nearly 40 years, Just Harvest has advocated for a society that best serves and protects its people. With a strong standing mission to promote a just system of food access, our efforts address root causes of hunger: unjust public policy and economic inequality. We work to connect people to essential benefits, advocate for policies that prioritize human needs – and are committed to a vision that the government has a responsibility to do the same.
We are outraged by recent threats and destructive actions towards critical programs and communities everywhere–across races, genders, and backgrounds. These include the Trump Administration’s attempt to impose a “freeze” on federal payments, pauses in Congressionally-authorized programs and contracts, and anti-democratic executive orders.
In a clear attack against the founding American commitment to “promoting the general welfare,” these actions from the Trump Administration–aided and abetted by multi-billionaire Elon Musk–have spread fear and uncertainty throughout the nation that we recognize and feel here in Allegheny County.
The good news for now, is that for people in our community receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Women Infants and Children (WIC) benefits, or School Meals, there are no current changes to your benefits.
But make no mistake, these benefits and many other basic safety net supports are vulnerable against major cuts that we anticipate to see in proposals from Republican leaders as we approach a budget battle in Congress.
So we must continue to advocate for the protection of the food assistance safety net for and with our neighbors. When the right to food, healthcare, education, and dignity are under attack, the greatness and power of our nation is weakened. SNAP and other nutrition and income assistance programs are vital for keeping food on the table for millions of families – and support the economy with jobs and commerce throughout the food system.
All Americans of good will–across the political spectrum–must speak out, demand answers from public officials, strengthen coalitions, and build collective power. Since 1986 our vision remains unfaltering. We will continue to fight to protect the fundamental right to food for everyone–and enable people to amplify their own voices to build a future for America that we can all consider “great.”
(All or any part of the preceding statement may be attributed to Ken Regal, Executive Director of Just Harvest or Katherine Taylor, Communications Coordinator, katherinet@justharvest.org)
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