*** LEGISLATIVE ALERT ***
The Program
Hunger Prevention
and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) funding is one of the primary
sources of funding for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and its network of
hunger-relief member agencies, like food pantries and soup kitchens. The Food
Bank allocates HPNAP funds to cover the cost of food for member agencies as
well as provides grants to help offset the cost of staffing, operations and
equipment.
The Problem
On January 22, Governor Cuomo
proposed a decrease in funding and a major restructuring of NYS health and
anti-hunger programs. If approved, the budget would remove HPNAP as a
directly funded line-item, and transition it into a “Maternal, Child Health
& Nutrition” block grant category, creating potential competition among
human service providers. Governor Cuomo has proposed a $13 million
overall cut to these critical programs.
Our
Request
Restore dedicated, line-item
funding for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program
(HPNAP) at no less than the amount approved in fiscal year 2013 ($29
million).
HPNAP Supported Member
Agencies - We Need Your Help!
Action:
Contact your local NYS
Senator and Assemblyman and let them know how critical the program is to your
agency and ask them to help restore dedicated, line-item funding for HPNAP at
no less than the amount approved in FY2013.
Talking Points:
· The need for food assistance has grown
particularly since the recession and in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene
and Super Storm Sandy. In 2011, HPNAP provided emergency flood relief funds to
agencies located in affected areas to help meet increased demand. This level of
responsiveness to community needs would not be possible if HPNAP was rolled
into the block grant.
· Our agency received $____________ in HPNAP
funding in FY 2012-13 and served ______ people. We could not do what we
do without those funds and would have to either close our doors/serve less
people/distribute less food/etc. [Agencies can contact the Agency Services
& Programs Department at the Food Bank if you need the amount of your FY
2012-13 food grant and your HPNAP FY 2011-12 stats.]
· Emergency food is for everyone – old, young, man
and woman – because hunger does not exclude anyone. Bundling this program into
the Maternal & Child Health Block Grant distorts the purpose of emergency
food and risks short changing vulnerable seniors, disabled people and others
without access to needed food.
· Many of the households we serve need to access
programs like WIC in order to help keep food on the table for all family
members. Pitting emergency food against maternal and child health and
nutrition programs will only diminish the total resources available to
low-income families.
· Not only does HPNAP prevent hunger, it has been
an important support for NYS agriculture, with funding dedicated to the
purchase of NYS dairy and produce every year. These funds have helped our
local farmers while feeding our hungry
neighbors.