1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am a mother of two school-age children, a teacher, and a proud member of my community in Waukesha, Wisconsin. I am concerned about recent devastating cuts to programs at the USDA that were instrumental in combating hunger and helping our Wisconsin farmers. Recent cuts by our administration to over $1 billion in USDA programs that supported food banks, schools, and more are already impacting us here in Wisconsin. Food banks in particular, like those in the Milwaukee area, are already having shortages and having to cancel promised orders meant to go out to other food banks all over the state. Additionally, many of these programs were meant to share benefits all around, such as using the funds to purchase food for schools and food banks from our local farmers. This is a boost to our own economy, small farms, and gets fresher, healthier food to our children and families. The ripple effect of this is stronger people who rely less on our health care system or other social resources. These government moves for "efficiency" are not efficient. They are creating real harm in people's lives, real harm to our economy here in Wisconsin, and will only exacerbate strains on our welfare systems. Call for a return of these funds and programs, which were doing good here in Wisconsin. If they can be run better or more efficiently, give their staff the tools to analyze and improve. Speak up against wasteful, harmful cancelling of help for everyday American people.