As a mother of two and a member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, I understand that a nourishing diet is crucial to ensuring the healthy development of our nation’s children. Studies show that a child’s daily nutritional intake has a direct effect on their academic performance. A balanced diet will benefit a child in their physical, mental and social development in addition to reducing their risk of health complications later in life.
I am pleased our country has taken steps towards ensuring each child, regardless of their family’s income, has access to healthy food. More than 31 million children participate in the National School Lunch Program, and 11 million use the School Breakfast Program. However, while school breaks for the summer, a child’s need for nutritional food does not.
That is why I am a cosponsor of the Stop Child Summer Hunger Act (H. R. 2715). This bill would create a program to provide eligible households with nutrition assistance during the summer. It is important to safeguard the health of our nation’s youth and this bill would help accomplish that by extending aid to families into summer months. No child should be forced to skip a meal or go to bed hungry because of economic circumstances outside their control.
Our children are the future of our country and we should work to provide them with all the possible tools for success.
As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you, I encourage you to contact me through my website. You may also keep up-to-date on what I’m doing by following me on social media. If you need assistance dealing with a federal agency, such as the IRS or the VA, please do not hesitate to contact my Bothell office at (425) 485-0085.
