Nyla Glover
On Tuesday, July 7, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) held a press conference at the Family Service Association of Redlands to discuss the one-year anniversary of the Republican party and what he refers to as “Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Bill,” highlighting the harmful impact of food assistance cuts on Californians.
“One year after Trump and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill cut food assistance programs like CalFresh, and took food off the tables of millions of Americans, California families are paying the price,” said Aguilar.
The funding cuts to food assistance programs during this legislation has broken a record, taking away SNAP benefits from more than four million Americans to give corporations and billionaires a tax cut. More than 300,000 people in California lost their CalFresh food assistance, resulting in families going hungry or having to rely on free community food assistance organizations—the Family Service Association—to survive.
Though Aguilar declared his gratitude for spaces like the Family Service Association, he also acknowledged that people should not have to look to it as their only option for nourishment.
“I’m grateful for organizations like the Family Service Association of Redlands that help ensure people in our community don’t go hungry. But in the wealthiest nation on earth, there’s no reason that should even be a possibility. I’ll keep fighting back against Republican cuts to food assistance programs and work to bring down costs so that every California family can afford the healthy meals they need to thrive,” said Aguilar.
Kyra Stewart, Executive Director of Family Service Association, shared her appreciation for Aguilar’s engagement during the conference. She touched on the importance of local food banks, pantries, and non-profit organizations at this time, while still highlighting the need for nutrition support programs like SNAP or CalFresh.
“Family Service is grateful for the engagement of Congressman Pete Aguilar today and always,” said Stewart. “For many families, when benefits are affected, a food pantry or local food bank is the first place households will turn to. Nonprofits will never be able to replace a strong public nutrition safety net program as important as SNAP or CalFresh. Only a mix of thoughtful public policy, private support and local collaboration will be able to solve hunger issues in our region. We appreciate leaders such as Congressman Pete Aguilar who are willing to advocate for solutions.”
Follow this link to view The Full Press Conference.