These are rocky times. Money is short, resources are strained, and client numbers are increasing rapidly. These are problems the emergency food community has faced for years, but they have accelerated during the past twelve to eighteen months. During this time, it has become increasingly clear why the Washington Food Coalition (WFC) is so important. What organization in Washington State specifically represents the interests of emergency food sites and their clients? Only the Washington Food Coalition.
State Budget Woes
This is a volatile time in Olympia with the current budget shortfall of $2.7 billion and the State Treasurer’s office saying the state may run out of cash by September if things don’t improve. The Governor, state legislators, and their respective staffs are searching for ways to increase revenues and cut costs. No programs, from education to public safety, are safe from budget cuts. Two programs -- EFAP and TEFAP -- provide very significant sources of food and money for food bank and congregate meal programs. They are under scrutiny as state government attempts to remain above water. That’s where your Washington Food Coalition plays an essential role.
EFAP and TEFAP in Jeopardy
A position paper was written and approved by the WFC board to clearly state our position on the importance of EFAP and TEFAP to the very existence of emergency food programs, particularly to small and/or rural food banks where funding and food is difficult to obtain. The purpose of position paper is two-fold: • First, to provide you and your colleagues with a way to approach your legislators with a consistent message, helping to brand the Washington Food Coalition for lawmakers as the statewide body speaking to the specific needs of the emergency food system. • Second, to educate elected officials, their staffs and government departments employees with our “on the ground” insight into the importance of EFAP and TEFAP to continuing our ability to provide to those in need.
Representing WFC Members
How can we best represent the membership of WFC? The answer seems simple -- knowledge, and coordination -- but takes a great deal of time. WFC has an Advocacy Committee which meets on a regular basis to develop strategy. This committee is made up of several individuals including: Robert Coit, current WFC Chair and Director of the Thurston County Food Bank, Kelsey Beck of Food Lifeline, Josh Fogt of Northwest Harvest, Helen McGovern of the Emergency Food Network and Penny Archer of the Moses Lake Food Bank. This year three in particular -- Robert, Kelsey, and Josh -- had a major impact on educating those in Olympia about the needs of emergency food programs and the positive or negative effects of their decisions. Many hours were spent talking with the Governor, the House, the Senate and their staffs; testifying in committee hearings; and speaking with staff from various departments about ramifications of “efficiency moves” impacting EFAP and TEAP and therefore emergency food programs.
New EFAP Home
There were many discussions about a new home for EFAP, including the Department of Social and Health Services as well as the Department of Agriculture. Due in large part to the strong advocacy by the committee and the whole board, a bill worked it’s way through the legislature to move all food programs (EFAP, TEFAP and CSFP) to the State Department of Agriculture. Another option would have been for EFAP to stay in Commerce. One thing is for sure—without the effort of the Washington Food Coalition in Olympia, the future home and viability of this critical program would be uncertain. Boring? We’re talking about $10 million for food banks through EFAP during the next biennium as well as the USDA Commodity Food Program. And, thus far, nobody is talking about reducing funding!
Gratitude Extended
Those of us who dedicate our time to ensuring families and children in need of food and have provided a place they can receive assistance, owe the WFC Advocacy Committee a great deal. Their efforts have helped government folks understand the potential impact of the decisions they make. Without the collaborative efforts coordinated through the WFC, our collective needs, stories and impacts would go gravely unknown and undervalued.
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