To our local, state, and national representatives:

We, the undersigned parents, clinicians, and community members, urge immediate, bipartisan action to prevent an avoidable hunger crisis.

• SNAP feeds ~42 million Americans (≈1 in 8).
• WIC supports nearly half of U.S. infants and pregnant/postpartum women.

Both programs now face cuts or delays due to the federal shutdown. This is unprecedented and places children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families at immediate risk.

Hunger is not a partisan issue—it’s a public health emergency.

We respectfully request the following TEMPORARY measures:

• Immediate bridge funding for SNAP and WIC
• Authorize and release emergency funds (contingency/disaster authorities, reprogramming, or other lawful mechanisms) to ensure uninterrupted benefits while Congress finalizes appropriations.
  State flexibilities and support
• Grant states temporary flexibility to advance, supplement, or backfill benefits and to expedite distribution where possible, with rapid federal reimbursement once funding resumes.
• Protect EBT continuity & clear timelines
• Maintain EBT functionality, publish transparent payment timelines, and provide real-time state-by-state guidance so families and retailers can plan.
• School & food bank coordination
• Mobilize federal logistics support to food banks; enable schools to continue meals without reimbursement delays; streamline waivers to reduce administrative burden during the lapse.
• Safeguard essential nutrition from future shutdowns
• Enact a bipartisan automatic continuing resolution or legal firewall so SNAP/WIC cannot lapse during government shutdowns.
  Why this matters:

For many households, SNAP covers the majority of monthly groceries; losing it forces impossible choices between food, rent, and medicines.

WIC interruptions jeopardize infant formula, produce, and essential nutrition for moms and babies—needs that cannot wait.

SNAP spending stabilizes local economies; every $1 typically generates $1.50–$1.80 in community economic activity. A sudden cutoff harms families and small retailers.

Our message is simple:
We can debate long-term reforms later. Right now, kids need to eat. Enact a temporary solution to keep SNAP and WIC running—immediately.

Signed,
Concerned parents, clinicians, and community members across the United States.