I am hearing that the Senate budget has proposed eliminating the state Food Assistance Program. The House has proposed maintaining the program, but suggests cutting the funding in half.

Even if funding were at 50 percent, that would leave families a food budget of $2 per person per day. I could (and did) feed myself and my young daughter on $4 per day when I was between jobs 40 years ago, but I don’t see how anyone can survive on that little in today’s economy. Hungry kids can’t learn – and no kid should go to school hungry.

It’s my understanding that state food assistance “extends the reach of food stamps to documented immigrants who are living and working in Washington.” We depend on documented immigrants for much of our food supply; without them working in our fields and orchards there might be no one to bring in the harvest. How can we not return the favor by helping to feed them and their children?

I hope our legislators protect kids, and pass a final supplemental budget that maintains the state Food Assistance Program.

Doris (Jody) Wilson, Kirkland