Action Alert: Support MEFAP and SNAP
The Massachusetts budget season is in full swing, and we’re counting on our friends in the community to let legislators know the importance of funding good food policy. There are two important Food Policy Council priorities being considered in the upcoming budget battle – increased MEFAP funding and legislation to help Close the SNAP Gap. We’re sharing this Advocacy Alert from the Worcester County Food Bank that includes a quick explanation of what’s at stake and actions you can take to help create a #HungerFree Community.
Dear Friends,
Let’s Budget to End Hunger!
The Massachusetts House of Representatives released their budget proposal yesterday, and we want to let our Representatives know that 1.) MEFAP Matters and 2.) Let’s Close the SNAP Gap.
MEFAP:
The four Food Banks in Massachusetts are working together to ask for an increase to MEFAP funding. The current funding is $17 million; we’re asking to increase it to $20 million to help all the Food Banks meet the needs of our clients with good, reliable, staple foods.
SNAP Gap:
There are more than 600,000 people in Massachusetts who qualify for SNAP but are not enrolled in the program. One way to close this “SNAP Gap” is to work alongside MassHealth to identify eligible people and provide application support.
Will you help us meet our goal of reaching out to all of the State Representatives in Worcester County and letting them know that a good budget should help end hunger in our communities?
Here’s how you can help:
1. Find your State Representative here, if you don’t already know. This will give you their phone number and email address.
2. Call or email and let them know that MEFAP Matters and we need to Close the SNAP Gap. If you’re not sure what to say, here’s a sample script:
“My name is ____________ and I’m calling from zip code _______, and I wanted to ask Rep.____________ to support two budget amendments that will help end hunger in our community. I’m asking him/her to support:
Support Rep. Kocot’s Amendment # ____ to increase MEFAP funding.
Support Rep. Livingstone’s Amendment #31 to help close the SNAP Gap.
<Insert why you feel that MEFAP and SNAP are important programs to support>”. Will Rep. ___________ support these amendments?”
3. Let us know you made the call and what happened by telling us on Facebook, Twitter, or shoot us an email.
Thank you so much for YOUR commitment to ending hunger in Worcester County!
Liz Sheehan Castro
Director of Advocacy
Worcester County Food Bank
Bonus Action! Share Your Story
Your voice has power. Do you have a story to share about food insecurity or what SNAP benefits have meant to you? Tell us about it here.
