JOIN US!

You're invited to participate in a community roundtable discussion hosted by Second Harvest to discuss the rising need for emergency food assistance and the state of the local food system. The continued high cost of living, and especially food, has affected every community member, but some are impacted more than others.

This has led us to question:

• What factors contribute to the rising need in our communities?
• How does the lack of employment opportunities, transportation and housing contribute to food insecurity?
• How can public policy at the local, state and federal level help our neighbors?
• Who in the local community has the passion and availability to create solutions and drive change? 

We have statistics and data on food insecurity, but what we don’t know is what’s happening in your neighborhood. That is why we are reaching out to you - to listen, explore and learn what you are seeing and experiencing.

Please join us in your County for dinner and conversation. Feel free to share this event with any community member that you believe would benefit from participating in this community discussion. Registration is highly encouraged to help plan accordingly.

Hunger Advocacy

Hunger doesn't discriminate - affecting individuals regardless of race, age, gender and the like - though it disproportionately affects minority groups. Awareness and education of these challenges is the first step to creating change and addressing policy is one of the key elements of eliminating hunger.

You can make a difference by speaking up and speaking out against hunger and its root causes. Be a hunger champion. If you’re willing to make an occasional call or send an occasional email to your elected officials when we need to make an issue impacting hungry Ohioans a priority, sign up for our ADVOCACY ALERTS.

At the Federal Level:

BOLSTER:
Farm to Food Bank Program

Supports:

• Farm to Food Bank Initiatives
• Prioritize local agricultural purchases

INCREASE:
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Supports:

• Community Hot Meals
• Pantries and Programs

PROTECT:
Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP)

Supports:

• Provides additional purchasing power to income eligible participants.

REAUTHORIZE: Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

Supports:

• Provide low-income Seniors food to supplement their nutritional needs.

Learn more and sign online letters of support for these programs HERE!

Child Tax Credit Expansion Will Help Working Families Put Food on the Table

The Child Tax Credit expansion legislation pending in Congress would allow the return of the refundable monthly payments. This critical tool significantly reduced the rates of child poverty during the pandemic. Once again, our country can do what has been proven to help alleviate the strain on families and improve their economic circumstances. Second Harvest calls on the Senate to pass the expansion of the Child Tax Credit included in the bipartisan tax legislation as soon as possible.

Senator Brown and Senator Vance need to hear from you. Contact them today. Find Your Elected Officials

At the State Level:

Senior Hunger
Ask Ohio’s House and Senate to support a $50 SNAP minimum for all Seniors in Ohio to ensure they have adequate resources to purchase food for themselves.

Follow Second Harvest

Your voice across social media lifts our messages, shows legislative priorities and ensures our neighbors know how to access the food they need to thrive. Please like and follow our pages for the latest news and advocacy efforts.

Additional Resources and Partner Information:

• Feeding America
• Ohio Association of Foodbanks
• Advocates for Ohio's Future
• Food Research and Action Center
• Find contact information for your local, state and federal elected officials