Food Lifeline Action Alert

ACTION ALERTS
LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS BEGUN!   The 2013 Washington State legislative session is in full swing in Olympia. This year, legislators face a $2.5 - 3 billion budget shortfall including requirements to fund Basic Education as a result of the State Supreme Court's McCleary decision (for more info, see the Budget & Policy Center's report on the issue). After significant cuts to vital hunger relief programs in the last four years, it is Food Lifeline's priority to restore and increase support for these programs. As budget discussions move forward we will be calling on you to contact your legislators and let them know how important it is to fully fund and support these critical programs. 2013 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Add $3.7 million to the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP)  EFAP provides crucial funding to help keep the shelves stocked and the lights on at food banks. Demand has increased 35% since 2008 while private donations have declined. During this time, EFAP funding from the state has not increased and food banks struggle to feed more with less. An increase in EFAP funding will help food banks meet demand as individuals and families continue to recover from the recession. Restore Farm to School and Small Farm Direct Marketing Programs  The Small Farm and Direct Marketing Assistance and Farm to School Programs help farms invest in new markets while increasing kids' access to healthy foods. Combined, these programs improve access to healthy, locally-grown produce for children and schools. In 2011, funding to operate both programs was eliminated. $500,000 would restore funding to once again operate these programs. Restore Funding for the State Food Assistance Program (SFA) The State Food Assistance Program provides food stamp like benefits to legal immigrants and their families, serving over 30,000 Washingtonians who do not qualify for other emergency food programs or aid. After taking a 50% cut in 2012, these families faced greater challenges accessing food while increasing the lines at food banks. Restoring funding ensures this front line of defense against hunger is preserved for legal immigrants and their families. A Balanced Budget Approach Over the past four years, state programs and services have been cut by $12 billion. Further cuts to vital social services will result in the elimination of crucial programs. It is time to balance those cuts with additional reforms and new revenue.		HUNGER ACTION DAY 2013  Friday, Feb. 22 is our opportunity to make hunger a visible, undeniable priority for legislators - help us make a big orange splash in Olympia! You can get more information and register here. If you can't come to Olympia, sign theHunger Action Day petition and be sure to add a personal message to your lawmakers about why it's so important that we protect our anti-hunger programs and fix our state budget. If you think solving hunger is important,speak up and spread the word - tell your colleagues, clients and neighbors to register or sign the petition for Hunger Action Day 2013!
THANK YOU FOR READING! Food Lifeline feeds hungry people. We stock the shelves and fill the tables of 275 food banks, meal programs and shelters throughout Western Washington. The 35 million pounds of nutritious food we secure from restaurants, grocery stores, farmers and manufacturers feeds 745,000 of our hungry neighbors every year. Find out how you can be a part of ending hunger in Western Washington at www.FoodLifeline.org. We value your input. Please share your thoughts and comments at advocacy@fll.org. Food Lifeline thanks MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, for supporting our advocacy program.