John,

President Trump has been playing despicable games with people’s ability to put food on their tables. By refusing to fully fund SNAP food benefits, Trump is letting Oregon kids go hungry.

To stand up to Trump and mobilize Oregon’s response to this crisis, I declared a food emergency and directed $5 million in state funds to Oregon’s food bank network. And I called on all Oregonians to support their neighbors in need. You can do so right now with a donation to your local food bank.

Even during a shutdown, the federal government has the money to fund nutrition assistance. I led the state’s leaders in demanding that the U.S. Department of Agriculture use that money to guarantee that states can issue November SNAP benefits on time and in full. (And, mind you, Oregon Republican legislative leaders declined to join this effort.)

And Oregon sued the federal government because it is legally required to continue providing SNAP benefits during a shutdown as long as it has funding. It has that funding, but Trump refused to use it — and now, in response to two court rulings, they say they’ll only do half the benefits for November.

More than 757,000 Oregonians — including 210,000 children and 130,000 older adults — rely on SNAP every month. I’m not going to let Trump make them go hungry.

Hunger should never be a consequence of political stalemate. Donate to Oregon Food Bank today:

Thank you for helping your neighbors!

Tina