Welfare for the very rich at the expense of struggling families must stop. (“Program for food stamps tighten” Dec. 5) About 3.1 million people would lose SNAP eligibility (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps).

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture itself has admitted its reforms would cost almost half a million children their free school lunches since eligibility is often determined by a household receipt of food stamps.

Meanwhile, with the help of tax loopholes instigated by the rich and powerful, more than half of all U.S. income growth has gone to the top 1% since 1976.

And because of the 2017 tax law, the richest 1% of households (making $1.8 million per year) receive on average about $47,000 in annual tax cuts, while those with the lowest income (making $13,000 annually) receive on average $90. (taxallianceforeconomicmobility.org) This makes our growing wealth gap much worse.

Consider:

– The majority of the people who receive SNAP are children, the elderly or people who struggle with a disability. Government statistics show that the average monthly benefit per person is $135 a month.

– Economists at Moody’s Analytics estimate that every $1 in SNAP payments generates $1.70 in local and regional economic activity.

– Here in Kitsap County about 13.1% of our children are living below the poverty line. (data.census.gov) They deserve better.

We can tell Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer to reject these new changes.

Donna Munro, Bremerton

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