Karen Leader Scott, Bremerton

Kitsap Sun

The economic hardship caused by the COVID 19 pandemic continues. According to the census data collected October 14 to November 9, over 24 million adults reported that their household sometimes or often didn't have enough to eat in the last 7 days. This represents 11 percent of all adults in this country. Nearly 12 million adults living with children reported that children were not eating enough because they could not afford enough food. This represents 14% of adults living with children. Ability to pay rents and mortgages is also challenged by pandemic related reduced income.

Our Congress needs to address these concerns sooner rather than later. Some of the previously enacted COVID relief measures expire in December, 2020.

Increasing SNAP (food stamp) funding, providing more rental assistance and extending and increasing unemployment benefits would all be a necessary help.

Our federal elected officials, Congressman Kilmer, Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell have all been supporters of increased COVID relief funding. We need to let them know that we support their efforts.

Encouraging our friends and families who live in other states to contact their elected representatives to support COVID relief funding would also be helpful.

Can we tolerate any of our children going hungry? Let us take action to prevent hunger in our community and country.

Karen Leader Scott, Bremerton

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/opinion/readers/2020/11/20/we-must-take-care-needy-now/6368566002/