Speak Up for Action on National Strategy to End Hunger

Now is the time for us to weigh in with Congress, urging action and calling on our representatives to address the root causes of hunger: poverty and institutional racism.

You can use our advocacy tool to send an email to your representatives. Or, if you are inspired to share a more personal story, we also have a tool you can use to write a letter to the editor to be submitted to publications near you.

Last month, the White House announced an ambitious goal to end hunger in America by 2030 as well as a plan to achieve that goal. The national strategy includes commitments from the private sector, directives to federal agencies to improve access to nutrition assistance programs, and suggested policy ideas—ideas that have been tested and proven effective during the pandemic, including:

• Healthy meals at no cost for all school students.
• Expanded eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to vulnerable populations.
• Making the Child Tax Credit expansions and monthly payments permanent—this recommendation alone cut child poverty and child hunger nearly in half while it was in effect in 2021.
• Modernize SNAP and WIC benefits, both in adequacy (so that basic nutrition can be afforded despite higher food costs) and to make it easier for people to use their benefits.

These are ideas that have been tested and proven effective during the pandemic in keeping food insecurity rates relatively stable, even decreasing here in Washington State, according to new data from USDA. They are critical for the success of a national goal to end hunger by 2030, but it will take bold Congressional action.

The fact that hunger still persists in our communities is unacceptable. When people are forced to go hungry because of the failure of systems, we all suffer. It takes many people working together to make sure our elected officials invest in policy solutions that get families and individuals on the path to economic stability.

What You Can Do