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As the polls closed and results were announced, my colleagues, friends and family began to ask what the elections would mean for food banks. It is a great question! What do the results mean for Oklahomans facing hunger?
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that hunger is a non-partisan issue. Regardless of party affiliation, our legislators need to be well informed about the issue of hunger and the only way that can happen is if they hear from you!
Twenty-nine freshman legislators will join the Oklahoma House and Senate this spring. With 1 out of 5 legislators serving as an elected state official for the first time, we have both an opportunity and a challenge to find creative ways to provide information and connect them to the issue of food security.
For a legislator with an education background, sharing stories about students who have difficulty keeping pace with their peers in school because of hunger will resonate.
For a newly-elected official with a background in agriculture, learning that the USDA provided 8.5 million pounds to food banks in 2014 through agriculture commodities, while keeping markets stable for farmers will strike a chord.
For those with a health care affiliation, explaining the connection between food insecurity and obesity while informing them about the efforts that food banks are putting forth to increase access to nutritious healthy food for low income families will pique their interest.
Connecting your elected official’s priorities to food security creates advocates inside the Capitol!
Thank you for raising awareness about food security in Oklahoma. Together, with your voice, we can solve hunger in Oklahoma.
Best wishes,
Whitney Danker
Advocacy and Public Policy Director
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
405-600-3129
wdanker@regionalfoodbank.org
www.regionalfoodbank.org
www.okfoodbank.org
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