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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO OPPOSE CUTS IN FUNDING TO THE FEDERAL FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
WHEREAS, More than 15 percent of Illinoisans struggle to provide enough food for their families and more than 22 percent of Illinoisans do not have consistent access to adequate food; and
WHEREAS, Illinois ranks 24th in the nation for childhood hunger and 21 percent of children live in poverty; and
WHEREAS,There are children in every county of the State of Illinois who suffer from a lack of adequate food and nutrition; and
WHEREAS, no child deserves to go without food and underfed children suffer from increased risk of chronic diseases, increased rates of behavioral problems, decreased academic achievement, and long-term social and economic impacts; and
WHEREAS, 95,000 participate in the summer meals program; and
WHEREAS, 32 percent of low-income families find themselves without enough food in summer months; and 43 percent of low-income families find it hard to make ends meet in the summer months; and low-income families spend an additional $300 per month in the summer months to provide food for their families; and
WHEREAS,5,427,555 summer meals were provided through the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option, and these meals were distributed through 2,238 sites, including 1,601 sites in Cook County, of which only 905 were open to the community and did not require enrollment; and
WHEREAS, Summer Food Service Program sites are an ideal model for summer food delivery and provide on-site adult supervision and enrichment activities for children; however, more SFSP sites are needed that are open to the community; and
WHEREAS, Summer Food Service Programs should be encouraged to operate as open sites that are readily available to the community so that all children can access healthy, nutritious meals during the summer; and
WHEREAS, Eligible providers should be encouraged to participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program Afterschool Meals Program; and
WHEREAS, it should be optimal for schools participating in the School Breakfast Program to utilize alternative delivery models, such as Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab 'n' Go, and Second Chance Breakfast, to provide breakfast after the bell to all students at no cost to students;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commissioners of the Cook County Board do hereby urge Congress to develop a 2015 Child Nutrition Reauthorization that protects and strengthens the federal food and nutrition safety net for children and families, including School Breakfasts and Summer Meals and that we urge legislators on Capitol Hill to oppose cuts in funding to federal food and nutrition programs for children and families through the annual federal budget process or any other measures; and
BE IT FURTHUR RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, the President of the United States and the United States Secretary of Agriculture. end