Advocacy Update from Food Lifeline

ADVOCACY UPDATE STATE BUDGETS RELEASEDHow did hunger relief programs fare? Washington's state Senate, House, and the Governor have release their budgets. You can read more details below but the bottom line is this: the failure to invest $3.7 million in the Emergency Food Assistance Program and our hunger relief system makes it more challenging for individuals and families to find their way to financial independence. The legislature will vote soon on these budets so now is the time to make your voice heard. Niether the Senate nor House budgets provide additional funds for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP). This program keeps the lights on and shelves stocked at food banks that continue to see record demand. Since the start of the recession, emergency food providers have seen new clients at their doors, with need increasing by 35%. An additional $3.7 million towards EFAP would help food banks across our state keep their doors open and feed all the hungry people coming to their doors. The current Senate budget increases funding for State Food Assistance and partially restores Farm to School and Small Farms Direct Marketing but failed to increase revenue. This means deeper cuts to programs that help lift people out of poverty including childcare for working families and services for seniors and the disabled. Cuts to these programs mean individuals and families have less income to buy food, undermining the modest increases to hunger relief programs. The current House budget also provided partial funding for Farm to School and Small Farms Direct Marketing but took a key step by developing a revenue package providing $1.2 billion in income for the state. Call your legislators! TAKE ACTION NOW!   This is the time - ask your Senators and Representatives to fully fund vital hunger relief programs. Please take just a few minutes to call or email your legislators and urge them to fully fund these programs in the final budget. To email to your legislators and key committee members, click here.  Want to make a phone call but don't know how to contact your legislators? Find out how to get in touch with them here. Not sure what to say? Here is suggested messaging: For House members: "Thank you for increasing revenue in the House budget proposal, and closing outdated tax loopholes. However, I'm concerned about the limited investment in hunger relief programs. Without additional funds for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and restoration of State Food Assistance and Farm to School and Small Farms Programs, hungry families and kids in Washington will continue to struggle. Please work to ensure these programs are fully funded in the final budget." For Senate members: "Thank you for making a partial investment in our hunger relief system in the initial budget. However, there were no additional funds allocated for the Emergency Food Assistance Program as emergency food providers continue to face record need. I'm also concerned with the methods for funding these programs and the cuts to child care support and support for people with disabilities. Please raise revenue in order to fully fund these key programs in the final budget." 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.