The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Advocacy 101 Betsy Edwards, Feeding Texas Kathy Green, Capital Area Food Bank of Texas

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Lawmakers—Congress, Texas Legislature, Locally Elected Officials Advocates—Agencies, Clients, Volunteers, Donors, Employees, General Public JC/Betsy-FTTexas Food Banks Feeding America Advocacy Staff

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. What is “Advocacy?” Direct lobbying to lawmakers—personal visits, s, letters, phone calls Using traditional media—Op Eds, newspaper, TV, radio Using social media—Facebook, Twitter, websites Grassroots—building momentum for issue

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Why Bother? Our clients don’t have a lobby, and often feel powerless to be engaged Cuts in funding = less food and food access Hunger and food insecurity affects health care, education, workforce, economy Few lawmakers have first-hand experience with our issues, or are educated on them

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. True Stories 2011 Legislative Session: advocated and passed bill to expand summer food for more kids 2013 Legislative Session: advocated for and passed bill to expand free school breakfast for more kids 2014—Austin City Council: passed funding to do more SNAP outreach and enrollment

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. CAFB’s Delegation 21 Counties: 2 U.S. Senators 8 Congressmen (U.S. Reps) 8 State Senators 23 State Representatives

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Effective Advocacy Know your facts –Background of issue –Statistics –Funding –How issue affects constituents –Where issue is in process

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Effective Advocacy Have a clear “ask:” –What do you specifically want done? (or not done?) –Offer realistic alternatives (if possible) –Be succinct –Know your adversaries (and their arguments) Offer your support –Other advocates –Testimony –Positive media or recognition

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Effective Advocacy Be willing to talk to an aide rather than the lawmaker Don’t get emotional—crying, angry, threatening Provide leave-behind information Be gracious and appreciative Follow-up

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Do They Really Listen? Short answer: Yes, but… Public policy decisions are made on: –Personal philosophy –Political interests (internally and externally)— competition for seniority, pressure from own party, reelection –Lobbying and interest groups –Competing interests—other legislation, funding –Constituent concerns –Pressure from media

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Public Policy and Hunger Local, state, and federal issues affect our ability to end hunger. Examples: Local: utility rates State: funding for agencies, ag grant Federal: funding for SNAP and TEFAP

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Nutrition Safety Net SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or “food stamps”) TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program Food banks and their agencies Other nutrition programs—WIC, National School Lunch/Breakfast, CACFP, Summer Nutrition Programs, Farmers Market Programs

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Federal Update Child Nutrition Reauthorization –“reauthorizes” child nutrition programs for next five years –Opportunities to make changes –NSLP, SBP, CACFP, WIC, SFSP, and others –Push-back on nutrition standards

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Federal Budget Efforts to “block grant” SNAP –Would give Texas a lump sum vs. funding that responds to the need –Funding could be shifted from food assistance to other programs to meet budget shortfalls –Wouldn’t allow for reaching unenrolled populations

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. State Update Funding for Surplus Ag Grant— budget process going on NOW Photo ID on Lone Star Cards Drug felon ban Other bans—work requirement, child support

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. What Can You Do? Sign up for action alerts, answer our calls to advocate Have meetings with your legislators in district Collect client stories Be willing to testify

The mission of the Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Questions?