Senate Bill 611 Aims to Provide Food Security for All Children in Oregon
SALEM, Ore. — A spirited gathering took place at the Oregon State Capitol on Wednesday as parents, children, and advocates rallied for Senate Bill 611, dubbed "Food for All Oregonians." This crucial bill seeks to ensure that all children aged 6 and under in Oregon can access food benefits, irrespective of their immigration status.
Participants engaged in a "snack-in," passing out applesauce packets to legislators in a bid to secure support for the bill. Andrea Williams, a mother and president of the Oregon Food Bank, emphasized that the proposed legislation would protect vulnerable children who currently may be excluded from food assistance programs due to their parents’ immigration status.
Under current federal guidelines, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), leaving many families without vital support. "The idea that there are kids out there whose parents are working tirelessly but still cannot put food on the table breaks our heart," said Carolina Negron, another advocate at the event.
The need for such legislation is urgent; approximately one in six children in Oregon faces food insecurity, according to recent reports from the Oregon Food Bank. Margar Cova, who experienced food scarcity growing up with her eight siblings, described the anxiety of not knowing where their next meal would come from. “I wouldn’t wish that experience on any child,” she stated, calling for immediate action.
As the clock ticks, lawmakers are expected to vote on the bill between May 15 and Memorial Day. The hope is that S.B. 611 will bring much-needed resources to Oregon families, ensuring that no child goes hungry. Stay tuned for updates on its progress through the legislative process.
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