WASHINGTON — “The Grinch who stole SNAP” was one of many messages projected onto the Wilson Building Tuesday night. Advocates with Fair Budget Coalition DC posted their action on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s unwillingness to fund the District’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
While $39 million has already been earmarked to increase SNAP benefits impacting 140,000 D.C. residents, Bowser said Wednesday that she thought the money could be better used.
“I do think it’s responsible to have that conversation,” Mayor Bowser said about her concerns with the program.
The DC Council unanimously approved the Give SNAP A Raise Amendment calling for increases to the District’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program. The increases were set to take effect October 1.
“It could mean anywhere from $30 to $100 for some families, so that’s not a small thing,” explained Kimberly Perry executive director of DC Action. "This could be difference between putting food on your table or having to go to a food bank and asking for help and support.”
Mayor Bowser said the money will still go to needy residents but believes it may be better spent on other services despite receiving a letter from all 13 councilmembers urging her to reconsider.
“I talked to Councilmember [Christina Henderson] about is this best to use this as a 9-month kind of plus up that goes away? Or is it best to use it in another way for the same people ... that we support in TANF or a summer program that is also served by federal government," Mayor Bowser asked.
Perry, however, questioned the mayor's timing.
"The timing is strange that the bill was supposed to be implemented, but right around the time when there’s discussion and the city is looking for extra dollars to make a competitive bid to keep Monumental Sports in the District, now all of a sudden the dollars should be spent on something else,” Perry said.
Just a week ago, Bowser outlined her $500 million proposal to keep the Washington Wizards and Capitals in D.C. rather than moving to Virginia.
In the meantime the DC Fair Budget Coalition is circulating a petition urging the mayor to commit to the snap funds.