Recent cuts to funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the government shutdown have raised awareness around the issue of food insecurity in America. The issue affected over 40 million people who rely on the program to help keep their families fed. Now, one well-known actress is sharing her story of how she once depended on SNAP benefits and what she’s doing these days to pay it forward.
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During a recent appearance on “The Tamron Hall Show,” “The Morning Show” actress Karen Pittman revealed that just ten years ago, she split with her partner, and as she transitioned to raising her two children alone, food assistance was critical.
Pittman told Hall that she’s sharing her story now in an effort to put a new face on what food insecurity looks like in America. She also took the time to debunk the myth that receiving food assistance benefits from the federal government is an easy handout.
“You have to apply, and then there’s a qualifying period, and there’s a lot of paperwork you have to fill out. So the idea that you go here and people just give you a card with food – it doesn’t happen like that at all,” she said.
Although she often had to struggle to push herself beyond a feeling of shame, Pittman said knowing that she had help she could count on during that period was a relief.
“There’s nothing more important, I feel like, as a parent than having that peace of mind, knowing you can take care of your child,” she told Hall.
These days, Pittman is doing her part to help others who are struggling with food insecurity, partnering with the non-profit Feeding America. She told Hall that her work with the organization is a meaningful way for her to stay grounded.
“Of course, I love to put on a dress. I’ll go to the opening of an envelope,” she said. “But you need to ground yourself in what’s really important, and for me, it’s helping people.”
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