I don't believe that there is anyone going hungry in America simply by reason of denial or lack of ability to feed them,'' President Reagan said to visiting high school students last week. ''It is by people not knowing where or how to get this help.''
You're right, Mr. President, that lack of information is part of the hunger problem, but do you know why so many Americans are unsure of where to turn when their pockets and larders are empty? Would you believe that your own Administration is to blame? Here's how.
In 1971, Congress enacted an outreach program to insure that organizations involved with poor people, like senior citizens' centers and unemployment offices, provide information about the nation's food programs. The Federal Government provided booklets and paid half the program costs.
In 1981, however, the Administration tried to get this outreach provision repealed, leaving the states free to choose whether or not to participate. Then Senator Jesse Helms had an idea the Administration liked even better. Let the states continue their programs if they want, he said, but without a dime of Federal money. The Administration supported the Helms proposal, which Congress then accepted. Some states continued to promulgate information. A lot more didn't, or did so less effectively.
Two years later, Representative Leon Panetta, Democrat of California, proposed requiring outreach again - but only to reach the elderly, disabled and unemployed. Again Mr. Helms objected, and again the Administration concurred. The Panetta proposal passed the House; a counterpart never even made it to the Senate.
Perhaps you can see, Mr. President, why some Americans don't know ''where or how to get this help.'' That even some help is available in the first place is partly the result of Congress's forcing you to spend money you wanted to cut. Your budget proposed dropping the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which helps communities deal with hunger and homelessness. It called for eliminating $50 million that helps local food banks transport and store surplus commodities.
Coincidentally, that's the same amount of money that Hands Across America hopes to raise today with its nationwide human chain. We understand you're joining in; if you're serious about hunger, there's a lot more you could do to show it.
The hungry aren't the only ones who lack information about the nation's nutrition programs. But they have an excuse.
You're right, Mr. President, that lack of information is part of the hunger problem, but do you know why so many Americans are unsure of where to turn when their pockets and larders are empty? Would you believe that your own Administration is to blame? Here's how.
In 1971, Congress enacted an outreach program to insure that organizations involved with poor people, like senior citizens' centers and unemployment offices, provide information about the nation's food programs. The Federal Government provided booklets and paid half the program costs.
In 1981, however, the Administration tried to get this outreach provision repealed, leaving the states free to choose whether or not to participate. Then Senator Jesse Helms had an idea the Administration liked even better. Let the states continue their programs if they want, he said, but without a dime of Federal money. The Administration supported the Helms proposal, which Congress then accepted. Some states continued to promulgate information. A lot more didn't, or did so less effectively.
Two years later, Representative Leon Panetta, Democrat of California, proposed requiring outreach again - but only to reach the elderly, disabled and unemployed. Again Mr. Helms objected, and again the Administration concurred. The Panetta proposal passed the House; a counterpart never even made it to the Senate.
Perhaps you can see, Mr. President, why some Americans don't know ''where or how to get this help.'' That even some help is available in the first place is partly the result of Congress's forcing you to spend money you wanted to cut. Your budget proposed dropping the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which helps communities deal with hunger and homelessness. It called for eliminating $50 million that helps local food banks transport and store surplus commodities.
Coincidentally, that's the same amount of money that Hands Across America hopes to raise today with its nationwide human chain. We understand you're joining in; if you're serious about hunger, there's a lot more you could do to show it.
The hungry aren't the only ones who lack information about the nation's nutrition programs. But they have an excuse.
No comments:
Post a Comment