With the temporary suspension of SNAP benefits starting November 1st, we urge our community to take action by reaching out to your Congressperson—U.S. Representative(s) and/or Senator(s). As a co-op, we are committed to advocating for the well-being of our entire community, not just our shoppers, staff, and vendors. So here is a suggested script below you can use when calling or emailing your Congressperson to urge them to get Senator Rollins to release the USDA funds for SNAP benefits.
(Suggested Email Subject: SNAP Funding)
“My name is [name] and I am a constituent from [City] in our district. I am deeply concerned about the immediate threat to food security for our community and for millions of Americans.
I am urging Congressperson [Last Name] to immediately demand USDA Secretary Rollins to release funds available to USDA in the SNAP Contingency Reserve to be used to fund November SNAP benefits and issue clear guidance to states on how to navigate benefit issuance. Additionally, please urge the USDA to use its statutory transfer authority or any other legal authority to fully fund November benefits.
These are funds Congress has already authorized for this type of emergency. Millions of households which include seniors, veterans, and families with children rely on these benefits to help feed themselves and cannot afford a disruption, especially during this time of rising living costs.
Congressperson [Last Name], I am urging you to use your influence to ensure these funds are distributed immediately to prevent a food security crisis in our community. Ensuring families can eat is a fundamental human right.”
How to Contact Congress
You can reach your elected officials by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and providing your address, or by using GovTrack.US to look up your legislators.
- For your U.S. Representative (House) type in your address.
- For your Senators (Senate) select your state.
The most effective way to contact Congress is by calling them through the Capitol Switchboard or by using their official email or feedback forms.