Ocean County Assemblyman pushing bill to give service members nutritional assistance

A joint resolution sponsored by Ocean County Assemblyman Ron Dancer is urging congress to pass the Military Hunger Prevention Act which would give service members access to nutritional assistance.

The measure (AJR132) passed the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Monday.

The government estimates as many as 23,000 active-duty U.S. troops receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Countless more fail to qualify because they live off base and receive a housing allowance that is counted as income for SNAP eligibility.

“It’s a technicality, really, and Washington needs to fix it now,” Dancer (R-Ocean) said. “It’s sad to think that some of the young men and women who volunteer to defend our nation are going to sleep hungry, and worrying about the next meal for their children. Service members shouldn’t have to rely on food pantries to feed their families. Our warriors deserve better from an appreciative nation.”

The act was introduced in the Senate and House for the 115th Congress, but has not been introduced for the current session.

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