Help avoid a hunger disaster in Puerto Rico
Starting next month, 1.4 million Puerto Ricans on the island will struggle to put food on the table if Congress fails to approve an additional $600 million for the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP).
Disaster NAP has served as a critical lifeline for Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Puerto Rico’s poverty rate is three times higher than the national average, but not everyone in need of food assistance is able to receive it.
Unlike SNAP in the 50 states, Puerto Rico’s NAP program is a block grant that receives limited funding from Congress every year and cannot be adjusted once is approved, even during times of disaster or increase in need.
In response to Hurricane Maria, Congress provided an additional $1.27 billion for the program. When this additional funding runs out in March 1.3 million people will see their benefits cut by more than a third. Roughly 100,000 people would lose food assistance altogether.
Call (800-826-3688) your senators today and tell them to support our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico by providing $600 million for NAP. The Senate has the power to help Puerto Rico avert this benefit cliff.
Thank you for helping Puerto Rico in this great time of need.
Disaster NAP has served as a critical lifeline for Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger and Poverty in Puerto Rico
Even before Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico, hunger and food insecurity were much more common among Puerto Ricans than among their fellow U.S. citizens in the 50 states.
Before...
Fact Sheet: Fortified for Life. How the U.S. Government Supports Global Nutrition.
Good nutrition is a critical part of ensuring that all human beings can use their bodies and minds to live an active life and reach their full potential.
For Faith
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.
Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017
Unnecessarily long prison sentences, combined with the lack of rehabilitative programs for people in prison, exacerbate hunger, poverty, and existing inequalities.
Overly harsh mandatory minimum prison sentences have contributed to the rapid increase of our country’s prison population. The...