Missouri food banks warn national cuts to food stamps could leave millions of Missourians hungry

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Intro:	A Congressional plan to cut food stamps could make millions of Missourians go hungry.
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Wrap: The US House is scheduled to debate a food stamps bill this week that would cut $40 billion dollars from the program over 10 years.

Missouri Food Bank Association Director Scott Baker says food banks won't be able to provide enough meals to make up for the food that would be lost if the cuts occur.

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Description: "You're talking about a significant ask that the nonprofit sector is not prepared to handle at this stage."

But St. Louis County Republican Representative Sue Allen says Missouri has a history of abuse within the food stamp system and the money would be better spent elsewhere.

Allen is a member of the Social Services committee.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christina Turner.

Intro:	Welfare advocates say a plan before Congress to cut food stamps could starve millions of Missourians.
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Wrap: The US House is scheduled to debate a food stamps bill this week that would cut $40 billion dollars from the program over the next 10 years.

Supporters say the bill would help fix long histories of abuse within the food stamp system.

But Hunger Task Force Chair Glenn Koenen says that argument is based on myth, not fact.

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Description: "Better than 98% of all families on food stamps follow the rules and do what they're supposed to."

Almost one in six Missouri residents received food stamps in May of 2013, according to the most recent data from the State Department of Social Services.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christina Turner.

Intro:	Missouri food pantries say a plan before Congress to cut food stamp funds could starve millions of Missourians.
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Wrap: The US House is scheduled to debate a food stamps bill Wednesday that would cut $40 billion dollars from the program over the next 10 years.

Ozarks Food Harvest CEO Bart Brown says food banks like his are already struggling, and further cuts could be the final straw.

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Description: "Food banks like Ozarks Food Harvest have stepped up to the plate as far as filling gaps caused by the recession, but there's a limit to how much we can step up and how much our donors can step up."

But St. Louis County Republican Representative Sue Allen says Missouri has a history of abuse within the system, and cuts could allow funding to go towards other essential services.

Allen is a member of the Social Services committee.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christina Turner.