G. K. Butterfield: “I want to bring attention to a silent epidemic growing in our midst. Right alongside long-term unemployment, the…”

“I want to bring attention to a silent epidemic growing in our midst. Right alongside long-term unemployment, the increases in poverty and food prices, homelessness and the steep decline in household incomes is now the shocking rate of food insecurity and hunger. According to the USDA, there are 46 million Americans surviving on food stamps. While Congress considers reductions to food stamp funding, the USDA predicts that the number of people requiring food assistance will substantially increase. Last week, in my district in North Carolina, which ranks second in the country for food insecurity, I greeted thousands of people lined up outside of the Wilson OIC and the food bank of the Albemarle food distribution centers to collect bags of food for the Thanksgiving holiday. Mr. Speaker, to help remedy the challenges to food security, I introduced H.R. 3437, the Eva Clayton Fellows Program Act. This legislation would enable the development of solutions to world hunger and confront food insecurity head on. Food insecurity is not a partisan issue. I urge my colleagues to join me in this fight. ____________________”