Rep. Vargas Fights to Stamp Out Hunger
WASHINGTON, DC (April 2, 2014) –Rep. Vargas (CA-51), a longtime advocate of eliminating hunger, requested funding from the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies for several federal programs that combat nutrition deficiency for children, seniors, and families.
“Hunger deserves no place in our great nation,” said. Rep. Vargas. “Combating nutrition deficiency for our children, seniors, and families is of utmost importance to me and I will continue fighting until no person feels the pangs of hunger.”
The letters submitted by Rep. Vargas to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture included funding requests for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to help food banks and emergency feeding agencies with the rising costs of storing, transporting, and distributing foods to the needy and grants to help schools expand access to school breakfast for eligible low-income children. Vargas also sent letters requesting funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), a critical nutrition program that delivers food primarily to seniors, mothers and children.
“Programs that help our seniors, mothers and children access nutritious meals are crucial,” said Rep. Vargas. “We must ensure that our families are not agonizing over where their next meal will come from and that facilities, such as food banks, have the necessary resources to assist those in need.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District, which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire US/Mexico border. Vargas is currently serving his first term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 – 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 – 2000.