Hunger Action Week Call to Action– Eliminate the Lunch Co-Pay

We’re looking forward to joining with advocates across our state tomorrow for Hunger Action Day!

It will be a fun and action packed day! Thanks to the Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition, our constituent lobbyists will be meeting with their lawmakers to talk about our anti-hunger priorities for this session. And although schedules are subject to change, lawmakers may have a chance to provide an immediate response to our advocates with a vote on HB 1342 which is currently on the consideration calendar for tomorrow afternoon’s House Floor Session.

This bill will eliminate the school lunch co-pay for low-income students that qualify for reduced price meals. To be eligible for reduced price meals, a family of four has a monthly income of just $3,970. That’s less than $4,000 to meet monthly expenses for housing, utilities, childcare, and paying the bills. If we pass HB 1342, that family with two school-aged children could save up to $146 per year. That may not sound like much, but it makes all the difference for families living paycheck to paycheck: it could mean the ability to afford a car repair that helps a working parent keep their job when they can get to work safely and on time. It could be money put towards the rent to prevent an eviction notice. It could mean more money in the food budget so that parents can eat to stay healthy too instead of skipping meals so their kids can eat first.

Registration for Hunger Action Day is now closed, but we ask you-whether you’re joining us tomorrow or wish you could be there-to take a few minutes now to email your state legislators and ask for their support for HB 1342 before it comes to the floor for debate after 12:30p.m. on Friday.

Our kids should be able to focus on learning, not on their empty stomachs. Take action now

Hunger Action Day: TOMORROW, Feb. 12

Our training for our registered advocates will start at 8:30a.m. Registered advocates-you will be getting communications shortly from the Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition with meeting links for our “virtual Columbia Room” and for your appointments. In the meantime, explore resources for the day here.

What You Can Do