3,720,710 people struggle with hunger in Texas. Locally, 1 in 6 East Texans, including 1 in 4 children, are facing hunger— and we find this unacceptable. The East Texas Food Bank advocates to protect and defend policies that seek to close the hunger gap at the federal, state and local levels. For a real and lasting impact in the fight against hunger, we need your voice to make ending hunger a priority. Working hand in hand with community leaders and policymakers, we can solve this problem.

How to be an advocate

When creating or changing policy, our elected officials must make tough decisions that may impact our ability to help close the hunger gap in East Texas. Faced with decisions that can impact millions of people, they are counting on hunger-fighters to help provide them with accurate and timely information. That’s where we need your help.

We know that when people contact their lawmakers, they listen. Help us make meaningful, sustainable progress toward a hunger-free Texas by advocating for your neighbors experiencing hunger. Here are resources on how to find and contact your representatives:

Legislative Priorities

  • Increase funding for produce rescue to help food banks provide nutritious food to their communities. The Surplus Agricultural Products Grant helps food banks rescue unsellable produce for distribution to hungry Texans, offsetting losses for Texas growers and mitigating the impact of food waste on the environment.
  • Index the SNAP vehicle asset test to inflation to better reflect today’s car values. Current limits on vehicle value haven’t been updated since 2001 (primary car) and 1974 (additional cars), forcing families to choose between a reliable vehicle and feeding their families.
  • Improve college completion rates by maintaining access to SNAP for low-income students enrolled in vocational and technical degree programs. This policy was adopted during the pandemic to ensure students can access the food assistance they need to finish their degrees and go on to gainful employment. This pandemic-era change makes good business sense for Texas.
  • Support people exiting the criminal justice system to enroll in SNAP by implementing pre-release registration. By ensuring access to food, SNAP supports the re-entry process and reduces recidivism. Note: This is not an expansion of benefits; these individuals are already eligible for SNAP.
  • Improve health outcomes and reduce state healthcare costs by piloting a Medicaid reimbursement program for medical nutrition programs, such as Food Rx and Medically Tailored Meals. These proven interventions demonstrate that healthy food is good medicine.
  • FRAC “Bills We’re Supporting”

In The News

Advocacy Contact

Rebecca Berkley
Communications & Marketing Director
903.617.2008