A Bloomington teenager is in Washington, D.C., this week lobbying lawmakers to strengthen and expand nutrition assistance in the next farm bill.
Sreevardhan Atyam and 250 advocates from across the U.S. are in Washington for the Save the Children Action Network’s Advocacy Summit.
“Anybody can be part of this movement. I didn't expect that I could be a changemaker, especially in Washington, D.C., talking to senators while I'm in high school. I want people to see that anyone can do this kind of thing if they have the will and the drive to make change,” Atyam said.
Atyam was born in India. He attended Bloomington Junior High School and now attends the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora.
Atyam said hunger is a unique issue because it’s a root problem.
“If that root problem exists, there’s always going to be problems on the exterior – such as education, health, mental health. That list is endless really,” Atyam said.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is part of the five-year farm bill, which expires this year and is being renegotiated. The nutrition section of the bill makes up about 80% of its spending and helps to manage nutrition assistance programs, such as food stamps. Although food stamps are funded through the regular budget process, the farm bill helps make the rules for how the programs will work and who qualifies. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are looking to expand or limit access to the nation’s top food assistance program.
Advocates like Atyam say public sentiment is on their side.
Save the Children Action Network said its own national survey results released Monday show “widespread, bipartisan support for increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for families who are experiencing food insecurity.”
The group says voters are adamant that SNAP benefits are too low and should be increased, and that members of Congress who vote to cut SNAP benefits are likely to face negative feelings from constituents, including core groups of the GOP base.
