Oregon Food Bank believes that hunger is a policy choice. The government sets laws and policies that can either increase hunger - driving more people to our food distribution network - or that can decrease hunger - helping shorten the lines of people who are coming to us in need. We have engaged in advocacy work since the 1990s, seeking to address the root causes of hunger, to strengthen the social safety net, and to build resilient communities that never go hungry. 

Oregon Food Bank’s Legislative Agenda is set by the Policy Leadership Council, a group of people who live across the state of Oregon and who have experienced or are experiencing hunger. 

Oregon Food Bank also supports and advocates for the legislative agenda of two different coalitions. One is the Regional Food Bank Network and the other is the Food For All Oregonians coalition. OFB staff and contracted lobbyists advocate on behalf of all three of these agendas. 

Here are the policies that Oregon Food Bank, The Network, and the Food For All Oregonians coalition are all advocating for: 

• Preserve and strengthen SNAP. The state will need to make investments and program changes sufficient to maintain SNAP and reduce the Payment Error Rate (PER), all while ensuring as many SNAP participants as possible can keep their benefits. Oregon Food Bank and the Food For All Oregonians coalition are also explicitly advocating for: 

  • Support for Immigrants & Refugees who lost their SNAP benefits due to HR1. Approximately 2,900 refugees, humanitarian parolees, and people whose asylum claims have been approved will lose SNAP eligibility. The state can provide meaningful one-time relief to these families to assist with this transition.

• School Meals for All. Kids who attend schools that offer free breakfast and lunch do better in school, face fewer suspensions, and even have lower blood pressure. This is particularly important for students from immigrant families who often fear filling out forms and from rural communities which often have lower than expected participation rates due to the need of families to fill out government forms. Oregon can become the 10th state to enact School Meals for All.
  
  

• Oregon Food Assistance Network (Oregon Hunger Response Fund). Our Network has seen record numbers of visits. In the past two years, we have seen a nearly 50% increase in clients accessing services. Food Banks are struggling to meet needs, not only due to a decrease in the food supply caused by USDA reductions, but also due to rising costs related to supporting logistical capacity, staffing, and transportation.  

Opportunities to Advocate: 

• Food For All Oregonians Anti-Hunger Package Sign On - Does your organization want to show support for the Food For All Oregonians anti-hunger package? This is a great way to show solidarity and coordination and build a bigger we. Signing on will ensure you get timely updates. Here’s the link to show your support.
  
  

• Contact your elected officials -  Find Your Legislator page online to do some targeted outreach based on your physical address. Attached are templates you can use to get started - both for clients and partner agencies. Please encourage your clients and volunteers to participate as well!
  
  

• Immigrant Justice Day of Action - February 12th. Join Oregon Worker Relief for a day of action in Salem. Click here for more information and to register.