1. SOLVE WE CAN HUNGER TOGETHER
Learn about the federal, state and local landscape and how we can take action to have local impacts. With a challenging political landscape for anti-hunger issues, making allies is more important than ever. Learn what is on the horizon for food and nutrition programs. Explore the facts and commit to leveraging opportunities to preserve and strengthen food programs for vulnerable residents. We all have a role to play in protecting these nutrition programs. 

2. 115th Congress: Federal Legislative Landscape
Key Legislative Threats:
Healthcare reform
Cuts to federal spending
Tax reform
What Positions FA Well to Engage:
Interest in public/private partnerships
Proven track record in innovative partnerships with schools, health groups, business & food community
Bipartisan reputation

3. OVERARCHING 2017 GOALS
Protect and Strengthen Federal Nutrition Programs in Federal Budget/Spending Legislation
Oppose SNAP Block Grant & Potential Program Cuts
Increase Investments in TEFAP Food Resources
Protect Child Nutrition Programs
Ensure the Next Farm Bill Reduces Hunger
Protect Snap, Increase TEFAP funding, Strengthen food donation policies and identify funding for ag/food industry donation partnerships
Protect Tax Incentives that Strengthen Food Banks, Working Families
Protect & strengthen federal charitable giving tax incentives & food donation tax incentives
Protect & strengthen tax credits for working families (EITC, Child Tax Credit)

4. It’s a marathon, not a sprint! Timeline for Federal Action:
March 2017
Affordable Care Act Replacement Bill out
House vote expected soon
Legislation would cut health insurance to 25 million Americans
Senate passage not assured
April 2017
FY2017 Spending must be finalized by April 30 – across the board funding % expected
FY2018 Budget Resolution Introduced - Could threaten nutrition programs or charitable giving incentives
Would then need a separate budget reconciliation bill to be passed to make the legislative changes
Summer 2017
Legislative fight to oppose budget reconciliation legislation that would require simple majority in House and Senate
Legislation would set funding levels for Farm Bill, Future Tax Reform

5. Feeding America Focusing Advocacy Efforts On:
Coalitions with national partners: anti hunger, private sector, ag industry, health providers
Turnkey Resources to Enable Network Advocacy
Targeted Grassroots Activation by Network
Recent Focus: NAHO network letter, almost 3,000 orgs on
Engaging with key state and local coalitions to support efforts

6. How Can Citizen Advocacy Help Protect Programs?
YOU are the experts on local impact of anti-hunger initiatives
Direct constituent outreach has THE most impact with Members of Congress
Engage at any point you can – either with local congressional staff, through coalition, or with DC staff
Even supportive lawmakers
need to hear from you!

7. What You Can Do: Today, Tomorrow, All Year
1. Schedule and hold a meeting or volunteer event with your new or returning member of Congress.
2. Share a Facebook graphic or participate in a Twitter event organized by the food bank.
3. Write a joint op-ed with key community stakeholders about the importance of federal nutrition programs
Determine who your MOC is
Engage with Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties
Reach out to your
new or returning members of Congress.
Build Local Partnerships
2. Collecting contact information, engaging them in your advocacy priorities
3. Build relationships with MOC
4. Join Food Bank trip to Washington

8. Thank you!