The current discussion of funding for SNAP has ignored the role of West Virginia and John F. Kennedy in formation of the nation’s largest anti-hunger program.

Sometimes called food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides grocery money for low-income households. Today, 1 in 8 Americans receives SNAP benefits. Most of the 40 million recipients are children, adults over age 60 or adults with disabilities.

Although the program was first advocated by Vice President Henry Wallce in 1939, federal government food assistance relied on government surplus handouts until the 1960s.

Part of the timing can be traced to the efforts of Kennedy. The Massachusetts senator and presidential candidate focused his attention on hunger in West Virginia and attacked Republican President D

See Full Page