Be an Advocate

It Takes More than Food to Fight Hunger

The San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) focuses on providing emergency food support to individuals and families in need. While putting meals on the table is a temporary "leg up" during a crisis, sometimes hunger and poverty create a cycle that becomes very difficult to break without attacking the causes of the problems that create them. The SAFB is not only committed to providing emergency support, but also to working to address the systemic issues that cause hunger and poverty. We strive to do our part in feeding the hungry and providing support to the many families and individuals that live throughout our sixteen county service area.

Child Nutrition Reauthorization

During 2010, the USDA reported 49 million Americans were living on the brink of hunger; many were and still are children. We called upon advocates to raise their voices for a more comprehensive Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) policy that we could all be proud of in terms of healthier meals and creating healthier minds for our future.

On December 2, 2010, the House approved the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S. 3307). The bill was later signed into law by the President. The passage of this bill is a significant victory for hungry children. It provides $4.5 billion in new funding over the next 10 years to improve children's access to healthy meals; a great new investment in child nutrition programs. This will help children’s access to healthy meals and feeding programs that will ultimately help millions of kids.

We will continue to work with Congressional members and staff to replace the SNAP offset used to partially pay for this reauthorization bill. The President has made a commitment to fight to restore the cuts to future SNAP benefits scheduled to go into effect in 2013. Food banks and other advocacy groups will be calling upon Congress to take action on this issue.

2012 Farm Bill

The 2012 Farm Bill is an opportunity to get engaged with Advocacy. The House Committee on Agriculture will have its hands full with the reauthorization process pertaining to this vast legislation that focuses on rural counties. Last year, Committee Chairman Representative Collin Peterson (D-Minn) conducted town hall style meetings across the country in order to gather feedback from rural communities. Comments were given in person and online for the legislators to review. They will continue to work towards funding of vital rural programs ranging from water/wastewater infrastructure, community facilities, housing, renewable energy, farmers and other economic development initiatives.

For more information on the 2012 Farm Bill and the House Committee on Agriculture, go to www.agriculture.house.gov.

82nd Texas Legislative Session 2011

With the start of Legislative Session, food banks have been gearing up for Advocacy. Texas is looking at an $18-25 billion budget shortfall along with redistricting. Session should prove to be critical, in terms of outcomes that ultimately impact working families and individuals. Texas food banks will advocate to protect existing funding streams that help us helps others. The dollars that local food banks receive from the state assist in connecting hungry families to necessary nutrition that ensures a better quality of life.

In regards to SNAP (formerly food stamps), a priority is making sure that the application process is simplified and food bank pilot programs continue to work in order to ensure that SNAP benefits are available to individuals that need them in a timely fashion.

With the demand for food bank programs and services on the rise, it is essential that continued funding and donation availability is well protected, thus keeping the lifeline of emergency food assistance available to all the 19 Texas Food Banks. The San Antonio Food Bank will continue to advocate and follow the lead of the Texas Food Bank Network as we navigate the 82nd Legislative Session 2011.

Want to do More?

• Contact your congress member and the latest on federal legislation - www.congress.org
• Contact your state elected officials and the latest on state legislation - www.capitol.state.tx.us
• Receive updates about policy issues affecting hunger and how you can make a difference, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Check back for more information on public policy related to hunger and how you can help. For additional hunger policy information go to the The Food Research and Action Center website.