During the last legislative session, the TN state legislature passed a draconian bill instating work requirements for recipients of benefits like Families First and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This is cruel legislation passed by cruel people with the intention of setting people up to fail in an effort to wipe them off of their benefits.
Last year, MSPJC began providing flexible opportunities for young mothers who must now work up to 30 hours of community service a week in order to maintain their benefits and provide for their children. This is especially burdensome for those who rely on our broken transit system.
For the past several months have been working with at least 20 women, completing close to300 hours every week, but this is just scratching the surface here in Memphis, where 62.3k or 24.8% of our total population receive food stamps (SNAP). This problem is only going to get worse now that TN has expanded work requirements for Tenncare recipients. According to a recent study by Georgetown University, once these changes go into effect, 68,000 TN residents could lose Tenncare entirely. Until Tennesseans can roll back this harmful legislation, MSPJC will continue to work to be an ally to those most affected.
We invite you to be a part of this important work by making a donation of anything you can, or become a Sustaining Member of Mid-South Peace & Justice Center!