1 in 8 Nevadans struggles with hunger, and we find this unacceptable.  

Use Your VOice to Stand Up Against Hunger

Advocacy is a vital part of the Food Bank’s commitment to alleviating hunger in our community.  The Food Bank of Northern Nevada provides a voice for the 1 in 8 Nevadans who faces hunger every day. That voice is heard in city halls, county government, Carson City, and Washington, D.C.

There is strength in numbers. Our advocacy program relies on passionate people like you to help us achieve our mission and fight for the right of each of our neighbors to have access to the food they need. Make a lasting difference in the lives of your neighbors by joining us in advocating to protect and defend policies that work to close the hunger gap at the federal, state, and local levels.

As 2022 comes to an end, there are two must-pass bills before Congress: the fiscal year 2023 appropriations legislation and the National Defense Authorization Act. These bills contain provisions that would help fund federal nutrition programs and address military hunger.  FBNN is working with our Congressional delegation to help get these bills passed.

Advocacy Mission & Goals

We work tirelessly to reduce food insecurity by promoting policies to increase food security at all levels of government through partnerships with public officials and community advocates.

  • Support, protect, and increase funding for essential hunger relief programs at all levels of government.
  • Partner with Local, State and Federal Agencies to identify opportunities to decrease food insecurity.
  • Build a coalition of public officials and community anti-hunger advocates.

2022 Advocacy Priorities

2023 Farm Bill

The Congress is working to reauthorize the Farm Bill in 2023.  FBNN is working with our delegation to ensure the next Farm Bill increases investments in The Emergency Food Assistance Program. TEFAP provides our nation’s emergency hunger-relief organizations with food to help serve community members in need.

Congress must prioritize the people and families we see on the frontlines of the hunger crisis every day. Those individuals include working parents who need food banks to supplement the food their children receive from schools, particularly in the summer; seniors who rely on food banks to get enough to eat and stay healthy; families facing medical emergencies who are turning to food banks so they can keep the lights on; and all of those continuing to battle the economic and health challenges brought about by the pandemic.

The Farm Bill is essential to the federal government’s responsibility to grow our economy, strengthen the food supply chain, and serve diverse communities across the nation. Its success is measured by the people and families it assists.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps)

Congress should protect SNAP's structure and funding and strengthen SNAP by adopting the provisions contained in the following bills:

  • H.R. 4077-S. 2192 (Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021)
    • Base SNAP benefit allotments on the more adequate Low-Cost Food Plan
    • Boost the SNAP minimum monthly benefit which is currently only $20.
  • H.R. 1919/S. 2515 (Enhance Access to SNAP Act of 2021)
    • Level SNAP Access for low-income college students
  • H.R. 5227 (Lift the Bar Act of 2021)
    • Align federal assistance programs with eligibility standards of Affordable Care Act, allowing all lawfully present immigrants to access federal programs without discriminatory bars or waiting periods.
Support Policies to Enable Easier Food Donation
  • Standardize food donation guidelines to allow the donation of safe wholesome food regardless of the “sell-by” date.
  • Support innovative food rescue programs that help offset the cost to harvest, pack, and transport rescued food.
Child Nutrition
  • Increase the reach of, and the benefits provided through, the summer meals programs.
  • Improve area eligibility requirements so that more communities are able to provide summer and afterschool meals.
  • Build upon the success of the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program, and provide Summer EBT benefit to children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals when schools are closed.
  • Provide the opportunity to reach children through alternative delivery models that proved to be critical during the pandemic.
Home Feeds Nevada

Update:  The Home Feeds Nevada program is now live, and the first round of contacts have been approved!

Advocacy Accomplishments

2021
  • SB 370: Creates the Home Feeds Nevada Program designed to connect Nevada-produced agricultural products to Nevada’s two food banks.
  • AB 138: Repeals the drug felon ban for SNAP and TANF
2019
  • SB 323: Establish a workfare program in for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in accordance with the requirements set forth in federal guidelines to allow a person to meet the eligibility requirements by participating in such a program. The workfare program must provide that participant will receive benefits at a rate equivalent to the state minimum wage.
  • SB 443: Increases the reimbursement rates for senior meals offered through programs run though Nevada’s Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services.
2015
  • SB 503: Breakfast after the bell – Bill requires schools to offer breakfast to students after the beginning of the school day.

Take Action With Us

Ready to get involved?  Sign up for the Advocacy in Action Newsletter to stay up-to-date with the Food Bank's advocacy work, including calls to action and other steps you can take to support our neighbors in need.

 

For more information on how you can get involved, contact Shane Piccinini, Government Relations.

Political Endorsement Disclaimer: While the Food Bank of Northern Nevada may issue position papers on information related to political and policy issues, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada does not endorse any political parties or candidates for public office.  Any political statements or endorsements made by individuals or organizations adding the Food Bank of Northern Nevada’s information to their website does not represent a political endorsement, the position, or policy of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Any candidate for public office claiming an endorsement from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, its departments or offices is doing so without permission.