Join Share Our Strength and its No Kid Hungry campaign in urging Congress to protect and strengthen SNAP in this year’s Farm Bill.
Table of Contents
Dear Advocates,
Now is the time to act on behalf of kids nationwide.
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is one of our nation’s most powerful tools to end hunger. It provides families with a monthly benefit they can use to buy groceries – an important resource as they continue to face economic hardships from high food costs and ongoing inflation.
Right now, we have a window of opportunity to ensure SNAP is strengthened and protected through the Farm Bill, a once-every-five-years piece of legislation that governs a wide array of food and agricultural programs.
As Congress negotiates the policies in this year’s Farm Bill, it’s crucial that SNAP benefits are not cut for the 14 million kids who receive critical food from the program and that we ensure more qualifying families, not less, are able to access SNAP.
That’s where you come in.
Every summer, Congress goes on recess, using the time as a work session at home to meet with their constituents. This August recess period is the perfect time to use your voice for kids. When members are home, you can ask them to prioritize ending childhood hunger by supporting smart SNAP policy in the Farm Bill. This toolkit provides resources to help.
Thanks for your continued support of kids nationwide.
Ashanti Lewis, Associate Director, Federal Government Relations
Policy Priorities
Protect the Value of SNAP Benefits
SNAP benefits increased to $6.10 per person daily in 2021. That was the first increase in nearly 50 years.
It is critical for Congress to protect this increase in SNAP benefits. The increased benefits help families offset higher food costs due to inflation.
Maintain and Increase Access to SNAP
Under the current SNAP program, there are eligibility limitations, administrative burdens and outdated technology that prevent SNAP from reaching every community that needs it.
Congress should improve the SNAP program by cutting red tape and improving the technology so more people who need help can access the program.
Defend and Expand Access to SNAP-Ed
SNAP-Ed provides the opportunity for SNAP participants to receive free nutrition education and support.
It is important for Congress to maintain the current funding level for SNAP-Ed programs.
Key Resources
You don't have to be an expert to use your voice for change. Here are some resources to help you get up-to-speed about the importance of SNAP and Farm Bill legislation.
Spread the Word on Social Media
Social media can be a powerful platform. Help spread the word and build momentum for protecting and strengthening SNAP in the Farm Bill. Feel free to use the examples below if you need a little inspiration, and be sure to tag @NoKidHungry so we can help amplify your posts.
Right now Congress must act to #ProtectSnap for kids facing hunger. Click here to contact your lawmakers and tell them #SNAPWorks: https://bit.ly/474v6xb #NoKidHungry
SNAP helps 14 million kids get the nutrition they need. Congress needs to ACT NOW to #ProtectSNAP in the #FarmBill. Learn how you can help spread word alongside Team @NoKidHungry: https://adobe.ly/43Kf5JR
Join me & @NoKidHungry in urging Congress to #ProtectSNAP in this year’s #FarmBill. SNAP is one of the most powerful tools to end childhood hunger. Contact Congress today: https://bit.ly/474v6xb
Congress has an opportunity to strengthen & #ProtectSNAP. That’s why I’m joining @NoKidHungry to urge Congress to prioritize kids in this year’s Farm Bill. Learn how you can help: https://adobe.ly/43Kf5JR
Images
Images can help tell a powerful story. Please feel free to use the images below in your social media posts.
Contact Congress
Your voice is a powerful tool! Here are two ways to connect with your members of Congress to urge them to take action.
Send a Tweet
Get your opinion in front of your lawmakers by tagging them in a message on social media. Click here to tweet at your members of Congress.
Send an Email
Another simple way of directly contacting your lawmakers is by sending them an email that outlines the issue and opportunities at hand. Click here to email your members of Congress.
Meet with Congress
Lawmakers are usually excited to meet with their community members, leaders and the people working to serve their constituents in their district or state. Here are some resources to help facilitate in-person opportunities with your members of Congress while they're on recess.
District Meeting
Set up a time to meet with your elected officials and their staffers to talk about children facing hunger and the opportunity they have to strengthen and protect SNAP through the Farm Bill. Ask them to share their leadership and lend their support.
Town Hall
Town hall meetings are a tool for lawmakers to meet with their constituents either to hear from them on topics of interest or to discuss specific upcoming legislation. Attend a local town hall meeting and come prepared with a couple of specific questions. Rather than yes/no questions, ask one based on an action - "What will you do... ? What action will you take?" Here are some questions to ask:
- How are you planning to show your support for SNAP through the Farm Bill?
- How do you plan to ensure that eligible families are able to access SNAP?
Amplify Through Media
Letters to the editor are great advocacy tools. They reach a large audience and are often read by elected officials. The key is to keep your writing short and concise – typically no more than 175-250 words. Be sure to read the guidelines for submitting letters because each publication is different. You can copy/paste the following message and submit your letter to the editor by email or on the publication's website.
Congress needs to protect SNAP in the Farm Bill
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is one of our nation’s most powerful tools to end childhood hunger.
With 1 in 8 kids facing hunger today, now is the time for Congress to protect and strengthen this critical program.
SNAP is an effective and efficient way to get more nutrition to the kids who need it most. Benefits, which are only around $6 a day per person, can only be used to buy groceries. Yet, research shows the impact goes far beyond filling an empty stomach. Kids who get nutritious food through SNAP are healthier, do better in school and are even more likely to graduate.
Now is the time for Congress to create smart SNAP policy, and they have the power to do that right now through the Farm Bill. I urge Congress to fight for a Farm Bill that protects and strengthens SNAP.
No Kid Hungry Contacts
We hope you've found this guide useful. Our team would love to hear about the important work you're doing to secure policy change around the country so please keep in touch and let us know how we can help.
Ashanti Lewis
Associate Director, Federal Government Relations