To the editor:

As we head back to school, teaching is at the forefront of my mind. I am a third grade teacher at a district where 68% of students are considered to be economically disadvantaged. Nearly 50,000 Missourians have lost their SNAP benefits, and the cost of food will only go up in the coming months. The demand for food pantries has shot up in recent months, with affordability being at the forefront of many families’ minds. As someone whose family relied on SNAP for a handful of years, that help went a long way in ensuring that we had nutritious food on the table.

I urge Missouri Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt to support the Farm Bill that will help support our farmers here in Missouri, to think of their constituents and pair that with a two year cost shift delay for SNAP. Farmers benefit from SNAP economically with programs such as Double Up Food Bucks! Missouri cannot foot the bill for SNAP just yet without rebalancing its budget sheet and reallocating funds. If Missouri pays now, many will undoubtedly lose SNAP benefits.

I would like to thank Senator Josh Hawley and Representative Wesley Bell for being such great supporters of SNAP and for always having the well-being of Missourians and affordability at the forefront of their minds.

I worry about what tomorrow looks like for my students.

Wiralba Pichardo

St. Louis