Mil.families struggle w/ feeding kids

SAN DIEGO – As many as 160,000 active-duty service members - primarily enlisted E1s-to-E4s - are having trouble feeding their families, according to estimates by Feeding America, a group that coordinates the work of 200+ food banks across the nation. It’s been a hidden crisis for years since at least 2008. “It’s a shocking truth that’s known to many food banks across the United States,” said Vince Hall, Feeding America’s government relations officer. “This should be the cause of deep embarrassment.” The group estimates 29 percent of troops in those junior ranks faced food insecurity during the 2020 pandemic year. “You know what you’re signing up for in the military,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class James Bohannon, 34, after emerging from a drive-thru food distribution at San Diego’s Armed Services YMCA. “But, I’m not going to lie. It’s really tough.” He relies of food assistance to keep his daughters fed. Junior enlisted get Basic Assistance Housing (BAH), if they live off base, but aren’t eligible for SNAP (food stamps) because of an obscure Agriculture Department rule that prevents it. “It’s one of these things that the American people don’t know about, but it’s a matter of course among military members,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a former Blackhawk pilot who lost both legs in a helicopter crash in Iraq. The 2008 Food and Nutrition Act dictates that the allowance counts as income in calculating eligibility to receive SNAP benefits, and that ends up disqualifying thousands of military families. The allowance doesn’t count as income for tax reasons or for WIC benefits. Added Sen. Duckworth: “I couldn’t tell you where it comes from. I can only tell you that they won’t change it.” A USDA spokesman said in an e-mail reply that the department is “taking a fresh look at our authorities with respect to this policy.” Some people have criticized the Pentagon for turning a blind eye to the problem. However, Shannon Razsdin president of the Military Family Advisory Network, says she has felt a change in attitude from the Pentagon this year. “They are focused on understanding it,” she said. “Six months ago, I wouldn’t have said that.” A Pentagon spokesperson told The Associated Press that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would be publicly speaking on the subject in the near future. Duckworth has sponsored a bill that would establish a Basic Needs Allowance payment for military families in need. Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., has appealed for a serious Pentagon study of the problem and a repeal of the USDA’s Basic Allowance for Housing regulation. (Source: The AP 11/14/21) Thousands of military families struggle with food insecurity (wlox.com)