City Of Portland: Mayor Snyder Joins Other City Leaders In Nonpartisan Coalition Fighting Childhood Hunger

Portland ME

23 May, 2022

1:43 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Portland: May 18, 2022 There is no excuse for children to go hungry in this country. Yet it happens – every day, in every community. In the United States today, nearly 12 million children live in families considered food insecure. "I'm happy to join this nonpartisan coalition to help end childhood hunger," said Mayor Kate Snyder. "I'm thankful that Maine has a new law that will provide free school meals for students once the current COVID waiver expires, as that will go far in ensuring kids can better learn and reduce the stigma associated with free and reduced cost lunch. However, too many families experience persistent hunger and food insecurity, and this work is imperative and must continue." During the COVID-19 pandemic, state, local and national leaders took urgent action to fight childhood hunger - tactics that worked to stave off greater rates of food insecurity despite the severe economic hardships brought on by the pandemic. The Mayors Alliance harnesses the collective expertise of mayors from across the political spectrum to continue driving change at the state and national level. The Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger is a partner of the national nonprofit Share Our Strength and its No Kid Hungry campaign. "Mayors have witnessed firsthand the hardship their constituents are facing, and their cities are on the frontlines of responding to the short and long-term impacts of hunger in their communities," says Lisa Davis, Senior Vice President of Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen mayors address child hunger in a variety of creative ways, like advocating for and strengthening nutrition programs, to creating innovative public-private partnerships and growing awareness of the systemic connections between poverty, racism and hunger." For more information about the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, please visit: www.mayorshungeralliance.org. This press release was produced by the City of Portland. The views expressed here are the author's own.