Legislative Update
Raise Your Voice for TEFAP Funding!
The USDA's recently released Food Security numbers for 2008 show an alarming 49.1 million Americans are at risk of hunger. To help food banks meet the rising demand for food assistance, Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) introduced legislation (S. 2805) that would increase the amount of funding available for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in Fiscal Year 2010. This bill would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to increase the amount of TEFAP commodities available in 2010 from the appropriated $248 million up to $500 million, and provide much needed federal commodities to food banks across the country.
Your elected officials need to know that you and others in your community support increased TEFAP and hunger relief funding.
Click here to call your Senator to encourage them to co-sponsor S. 2805
and help our state's food banks at this critical time.
During the call, you can also mention:
- As the effects of the economic recession continue and unemployment numbers rise, it is becoming increasingly difficult for many food banks and their agencies to meet the needs of their clients.
- S. 2805 would help to ensure that food banks can continue to adequately serve those in need during these difficult economic times.
Thank you for raising your voice in support of increased TEFAP funding! Your voice is vital in letting the Congress know where their constituents stand on hunger—and we'll keep you posted on the status of this bill as it works its way through the legislative process!
Join the Movement to End Hunger—Become a Hunger Champion!
At Feeding America, we believe in the power of the individual—we believe you have the power to effect change in your community and in our nation. And we know that when many individuals unite in a common goal, great things can happen.
Across the country, there are millions of individuals like you concerned about their fellow citizens struggling with hunger—and they want to do something about it. They are contributing their time and resources to their local food banks, and doing all they can to bring an end to hunger.
We are uniting these individuals and combining their efforts to create a powerful nationwide surge of activity that will raise the visibility of hunger in America and help secure important legislative victories. The results so far are exciting, and we know the Hunger Champions Team has the potential to accomplish amazing things!
We invite you to join the team—become a Feeding America Hunger Champion!
The Hunger Champions Team includes hunger advocates who are passionate about fighting hunger and want to do more. During Hunger Action Month alone, more than 250 advocates joined the team's ranks.
As a Hunger Champion, you will be able to make a real difference in advancing public policies that help hungry Americans. We can work with you directly to identify how you would like to get involved. From writing personal letters to recruiting new Hunger Champions to developing relationships with your legislators—the choice is yours! You can help us create a movement that will end hunger!
Just take a moment now to provide your contact information —including your telephone number—so one of our
Hunger Champion coordinators can follow up with you. They'll want to discuss your interests and skills,
and help you find out how you can best serve in your community.
Become a Hunger Champion—we look forward to working with you!
The Holidays and Hunger
Hunger in America 2010—Coming Soon!
Early in 2010, Feeding America will release the results of our latest study of hunger in America. This comprehensive study is the most detailed of its kind—we gather information by interviewing food bank clients and by surveying local charitable agencies throughout America. As we compile local data from across the country, we develop a bigger picture of hunger nationwide—and our findings help better determine how all of us can make a difference in fighting hunger. Watch for Hunger in America 2010—coming soon!
Feeding America's Holiday Wish List
The holidays have arrived once again—and at Feeding America, our thoughts are turned to America's children. Like you, we recognize what it means for our nation that 16 million American children are living in food insecure households—that's nearly 1 in 4 children who wonder if there will be food on their holiday table.
With these children in mind, we have developed our wish list. Here are the things we hope for in the coming year:
- Congress will think about the real needs of our nation's hungry children when they consider Child Nutrition Reauthorization early next year. Every five years, Congress reexamines funding levels and policies for federal nutrition programs that serve children—and they are scheduled to reauthorize these important programs early in 2010.
- Child Nutrition Reauthorization will strengthen the quality and efficiency of all child nutrition programs; fill the gaps in food service for millions of low-income children; and offer creative ideas for new and innovative approaches to ending childhood hunger.
- All Americans will join together in support of President Obama's pledge to end child hunger by 2015. We can help President Obama and Congress reach this worthy goal by showing our leaders in Washington how important meaningful Child Nutrition Reauthorization is to their constituents.
Please join us in making sure this holiday wish list comes true!
Visit the Hunger Action Center to find out how you can let your
Members of Congress know our first priority is America's children!