Take action on current state, federal legislation
Advocacy Action Center helps you act now ... because it takes
more than food to fight hunger.
- Read OFB's 2007 Voices report, the result of focus groups that OFB conducted with emergency-food-box recipients to learn more about their experiences living with hunger.
Farm bill first
No farm bill. No food stamps. Not even a mention of nutrition. In Monday night’s State of the Union address, President Bush did say, “At kitchen tables across our country, there is a concern about our economic future.” Oregon Food Bank couldn’t agree more, and we’d like the president and U.S. Congress to put more food on those kitchen tables by passing a farm bill with substantial new investments in the Food Stamp Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
Even though Congress resumed on January 15, no significant progress has been reported on the farm bill. Meanwhile, 35 million Americans continue to struggle against hunger. Food-stamp benefits continue to erode, just as year-end reports indicate food prices have risen sharply. TEFAP commodities continue to decline dramatically, as food banks, pantries, and meal sites struggle to maintain a stable food supply. Hungry Americans cannot wait. Congress and the president must act.
Discussion of an economic stimulus plan has consumed Washington for the past weeks. Economists have touted the stimulus created by food stamps. We know that in 2006, food stamps created more than $850 million of economic activity in Oregon alone. And we believe that a tremendous economic stimulus bill has been in front of Congress for almost a year. It’s called the farm bill and Congress must stay focused on passing this important legislation.
There are several priorities for the farm bill that comes out of the joint House-Senate conference committee that must resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. First, funding for the nutrition title must be no less than what is established in the House bill. Second, funding for TEFAP must be indexed for inflation so it keeps up with the rising cost of food. Third, all nutrition-title investments must be made permanent. Current Senate improvements end after five years. Fourth, the farm bill must be passed as soon as possible.
Senators Casey and Durbin wrote a letter to Senate and House agriculture committee leaders, stating the importance of new investments in food stamps and TEFAP. Senator Ron Wyden signed the letter. Senator Gordon Smith did not.
You can help.
Please call both Oregon Senators at (202) 225-3121 with these messages:
- For Senator Wyden, thank him for signing the Casey-Durbin letter. Tell him the priorities listed above for the conference bill. Ask him to convey these priorities to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Tom Harkin and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
- For Senator Smith, express your disappointment that he did not sign the Casey-Durbin letter. Tell him the priorities listed above for the conference bill. Ask him to convey these priorities to Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
Sign up for Oregon Food Bank’s monthly Advocacy Alert at www.oregonfoodbank.org. Click on “Advocate.”
Useful contacts
Oregon SafeNet
Information and Referral for food stamps, Oregon Health Plan,
school lunches
1-800-SafeNet
1-800-723-3638
Governor's Advocacy Line
Call to report problems receiving Department of Human Services
(DHS) assistance
1-800-442-5238
Oregon Helps
Information and referral Web site for social service programs.
www.OregonHelps.org
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