The Honorable Muriel Bowser
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Mayor Bowser,
On behalf of the Fair Food for All DC Coalition, we thank you for your leadership in coordinating government resources to support DC residents facing food insecurity during the unprecedented difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we ask you to continue your administration’s strong leadership for an inclusive recovery by increasing local SNAP funding by $75 million. This bold response will tackle DC’s food security crisis and bolster our small businesses. It epitomizes a win-win, tangibly addressing long-standing inequities while fueling a more swift and inclusive local recovery.
As you know, COVID-19-related federal SNAP enhancements expire in September. When that happens, 1 in 5 District residents will have significantly less money to spend on groceries. In fact, SNAP households will lose approximately $100 per month in benefits. By providing a local SNAP enhancement, you can provide 142,000 residents and roughly 86,000 households an additional $11 per week per person in food benefits. With this boost, SNAP will better reflect what it costs a family to eat healthy in D.C.
An increase in SNAP benefits would stimulate the local economy while providing needed support to thousands of District residents. SNAP participants spend all of their benefits every month, supporting 425 retailers across the city who in turn pay their employees and their taxes. With the recommended increase, SNAP’s “multiplier” impacts would increase economic activity in D.C. by $100 million or more each year.
Further, investing in a SNAP increase will advance racial equity in D.C. Ninety-three percent of D.C. residents facing food insecurity and participating in SNAP are Black, reflecting the devastating inequities created by years of systemic racism. Reducing food insecurity by increasing SNAP benefits would help D.C. realize more equitable health outcomes and promote a stronger, more inclusive recovery.
Attached is a policy brief that supports the $75 million increase to SNAP benefits. Thank you for your continued efforts and leadership on the issues that matter to the residents we stand alongside. The time is now to Give SNAP a Raise.
Radha Muthiah
President & CEO
Capital Area Food Bank
Mike Curtin, Jr
Chief Executive Officer
DC Central Kitchen
Kim R. Ford
President & CEO
Martha’s Table
Lauren Shweder Biel
Executive Director
DC Greens
Beverley R. Wheeler
Executive Director
DC Hunger Solutions
Carrie Stoltzfus
Executive Director
Food & Friends
