Millions depend on food aid as pandemic economic troubles continue By CNN staff | February 4, 2021 at 8:17 AM CST - Updated February 4 at 2:35 PM
(CNN) - House Democrats are inching closer to approving President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill on party lines.
Republicans are fighting for a much smaller spend, but one area they both agree on is the need for more food assistance.
“It was life or death. We were either going to starve or we were lucky enough to qualify for SNAP benefits,” Veronica Bedico said.
It’s that black and white for Bedico, unemployed with three children at home. The government’s food stamp program is her lifeline.
Millions depend on food aid as pandemic economic troubles continue By CNN staff | February 4, 2021 at 8:17 AM CST - Updated February 4 at 2:35 PM
(CNN) - House Democrats are inching closer to approving President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill on party lines.
Republicans are fighting for a much smaller spend, but one area they both agree on is the need for more food assistance.
“It was life or death. We were either going to starve or we were lucky enough to qualify for SNAP benefits,” Veronica Bedico said.
It’s that black and white for Bedico, unemployed with three children at home. The government’s food stamp program is her lifeline.
Hiram Alejandro Durán/THE CITY
The city’s economic rebound has stalled with looming new pandemic-spurred restrictions threatening to cost tens of thousands of jobs and the need for help especially emergency food aid growing.
The federal aid package being negotiated in Washington will offer a modest boost, say economists and those on the front lines of pandemic relief but will likely less be than half of the $2.2 trillion CARES package passed in the spring.
“It does put some money in the pockets of individuals who are struggling,” said Lisa David of the social service organization Public Health Solutions. “It is just not enough. The needs are just enormous.”