Ending hunger is a daunting goal that sounds almost impossible to achieve. Especially when you start searching for solutions and find out that food insecurity is such a complex and multi-layered issue. To solve a problem, we have to know what causes it, right? But food insecurity has many causes: poverty, lack of affordable housing, low educational attainment, lack of employment, chronic health conditions, and systemic racism, among others.

These days lines at food banks continue to get longer and longer. By the looks of it, inflation isn’t letting up this holiday season—or even in early 2023. We have work to do.

Based on evidence reported in Feeding America’s 2022 Map the Meal Gap, we know that swift action from Congress to strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), school meals, Pandemic EBT, and other federal nutrition programs greatly reduced the number of families suffering from food insecurity. This is very much a reason for hope. We CAN end hunger with strong policies, improving access to these vital programs and supporting food banks as they address immediate needs.

You might be wondering, “How is this relevant right now?” Well, during a time when most people are exercising their right to vote, it is important we remind our peers that anti-hunger work and voting are closely tied. The candidates we choose have the ability to push the needle forward when it comes to food security.

For example, the US Farm Bill will be renegotiated in Congress in 2023. The Farm Bill is an omnibus, multi-year law that affects food systems, farm livelihoods, and families facing hunger. It provides funding and guidance for SNAP (formerly “food stamps”), the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP, or “emergency food boxes”), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP, or “senior food boxes”), and other federal nutrition programs. Members of Congress draft, propose, debate, and ultimately pass a Farm Bill every five years, which ultimately gets signed into law by the President. What is the very first step in that extensive process? Your vote!

Here are three simple actions you can take to get involved:

• Join us in urging members of Congress to sponsor and pass legislation that would strengthen and improve access to SNAP. You can do so, here. 
• Follow @azfoodbanks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and reshare our #FarmBillFriday posts.
• Get out and vote on Tuesday, November 8! Find out where you can return your ballot or vote in-person here: arizona.vote.

You can learn more about the impact of programs shaped by elections and elected officials here.

Have questions? You can email us at [email protected]