Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Advocacy to Legislatures

July 2017 | Oklahoma Food Banks Click here to view this email in your browser.

Legislative Updates: As the U.S. House of Representatives continues its Budget negotiations, massive cuts to SNAP and other critical programs are making their way through the legislative process. Recently, 20 moderate Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan objecting to large cuts, but the House Budget Committee passed a bill with deep cutsa short time later. Anti-hunger advocates like you must continue pressuring House Members to ensure they do not pass a budget that cuts SNAP or other programs critical to the people we serve. Read our Action Alert calling on Oklahoma's Members of Congress to oppose cuts in key programs like SNAP. Watch and share this video about SNAP in Tulsa to learn more and spread awareness about this vital program. August recess is almost here! Every August, Members of Congress come back to their home states and typically spend the month traveling around their district, meeting with constituents, and hearing directly from the communities they represent about the issues they care about most. August is the best time of year to let your Member of Congress know what you care about. Some options for engagement with your Senator or Representative include: attending an event, calling their office, posting on social media, or sending a letter to your local newspaper. To find events near you, check your Member of Congress’ social media pages or website, or call their local office.   Take Action:  Tell Oklahoma’s Members of Congress to support programs that enable the Oklahoma Food Banks to provide food to communities across the state and help families make ends meet. Dial (888) 398-8702 and listen to the pre-recorded message. Choose to be connected to either your Senator or your House Member, then enter your zip code. Deliver this message: “Hi, I’m your constituent calling from [City, State] and I’m urging you to stand up for Oklahoma families in need by fighting against cuts or harmful changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) are critical in the fight against hunger and help ensure hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans don’t struggle to find enough to eat. Help make sure that none of your constituents have to question where their next meal will come from. Thank you.” Did You Know? Oklahoma ranks 51st in the nation for children receiving lunches during summer. (Source: Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report, Food Research and Action Center, June 2017) Working together to end hunger in Oklahoma, Effie Craven, MPH, MPA State Advocacy and Public Policy Director Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma | Oklahoma City Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma | Tulsa 405-600-3129 | ecraven@regionalfoodbank.org Sign up for monthly advocacy news & action alerts.

Oklahoma DHS Budget Cuts Lead to Reduced Foster Payouts, Senior Meals What Do We Think Poverty Looks Like? The War on Poverty Has Become a War on the Poor Escaping Poverty Requires Almost 20 Years with Nearly Nothing Going Wrong

Advocacy in Action is your monthly briefing on Oklahoma food security-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by either the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma or the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Copyright © 2017 Oklahoma Food Banks, All rights reserved.