Food Lifeline Advocacy Update

ADVOCACY UPDATE

Summer is a time when many lawmakers spend time at home in their districts, reconnecting with the people, places, and organizations that they represent. For a handful of Washington State legislators, this includes a visit to their local food bank and organization that provides a vital service to their communities. We wanted to share a few of these visits with you and take a moment to thank both the food banks and legislators who took time out of their busy schedules to make these visits a success! Don't know if your lawmaker is planning to make a stop? Give them a call and encourage them to get in touch with us to set up a visit! Sincerely, Gina Clark Director of Public Policy

REPRESENTATIVE MARK HARGROVE VISITS AUBURN FOOD BANK  Debbie Christian, Director of the Auburn Food Bank shows Representative Mark Hargrove what goes into client food bags Tuesday, August 27th, Representative Mark Hargrove stopped by the Auburn Food Bank for a tour, a discussion of hunger in his district, and to help distribute food to clients. It was his first visit to the food bank where Debbie Christian, the director was joined by Radine Lozier from the Auburn Senior Center. The group toured the food bank, following the path clients take from the intake desk, through where clients pick up a bag of shelf stable food along with milk, and a large bag of fresh vegetables. Through to the back of the food bank, volunteers were busy sorting through produce and preparing bags for clients. "It was great to have Representative Hargrove come out to the food bank. It is so important for our lawmakers, who are making decisions about funding for hunger relief programs, to see the impact those programs have," said Debbie. "He stepped right in to talk with clients and help distribute food, right on the front lines." While watching the dance of food deliveries coming in and volunteers moving pallets of peanut butter to the packing area, Representative Hargrove asked great questions about where food comes from, what other services the food bank offers, and how SNAP (food stamps), other federal food programs, and food banks work together to address hunger. We are thankful to Representative Hargrove for taking time out of his busy schedule to see the crucial services and the need in his community. HUGE THANKS TO LEGISLATORS AND FOOD BANKS The following food banks and legislators have already set up or completed visits! Food Lifeline would like to thank them and our partners at Washington Food Coalition, Northwest Harvest and the other local community organizations for making all this happen. Senator Joe Fain, Auburn Food Bank Senator Ann Rivers, North County Community Food Bank Representative Brian Blake, St Vincent de Paul Longview Representative Susan Fagan, Council on Aging and Human Services Representative Dave Hayes, La Conner Sunrise Food Bank Representative Linda Kochmar, Federal Way Multi-Service Center Representative Kristine Lytton, Skagit Valley Neighbors in Need Representative John McCoy, Marysville Food Bank Representative Joe Schmick, Council on Aging and Human Services

Food Lifeline feeds hungry people. We stock the shelves and fill the tables of 275 food banks, meal programs and shelters throughout Western Washington.  Food Lifeline thanks MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, for supporting our advocacy program.