The food assistance system is broad and complex. Most of the food distributed to food insecure households in Indianapolis comes from federal nutrition programs administered by the State. These programs provide 80% of all food assistance. Advocacy for these programs is essential to ensuring that the government plays its part efficiently and effectively.
RECENT WINS
In 2019, Indy Hunger Network staff and partners worked closely with Bread for the World to encourage our members of Congress to co-sponsor House and Senate resolutions on global nutrition to fight hunger and malnutrition around the world. Both of our Indiana senators (Sens. Young and Braun) and 8 of our 9 representatives signed on as co-sponsors. In January 2020, the U.S. Senate passed S.Res.260, the Global Nutrition Resolution, which strengthens our nation’s commitment to nutrition for mothers and children. The resolution passed with support from both of Indiana’s senators. In September 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration hosted the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, & Health in over 50 years. Indiana’s Sen. Braun and Rep. Walorski were two of the leading voices in calls to convene the event.
In previous years, we’ve worked with partners to support an increase in the asset limit for SNAP eligibility in Indiana and a removal of the lifetime ban on drug felons from receiving SNAP, which went into effect on January 1, 2020. Both of these changes have helped more people access SNAP to help feed their families.
CURRENT ADVOCACY NEEDS
The lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic require continued anti-hunger advocacy in order to address the increased demand for food assistance. Higher food prices are also creating an additional burden for families and people already struggling to make ends meet. Because of these issues, there is an ongoing need to protect and strengthen federal nutrition programs. The Indy Hunger Network supports policies that increase the number of people who can access SNAP, WIC, free and reduced-price school lunch, and other federal nutrition programs, through reducing restrictions on participation, simplifying application processes, and increasing benefit amounts to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
ADVOCACY TRAINING & RESOURCES
IHN has as an Advocacy Committee that meets bi-monthly and includes members from IHN and other area anti-hunger organizations. We draw on the public policy expertise of multiple organizations including:
- MAZON
- Feeding Indiana’s Hungry
- Bread for the World
- Indiana Coalition for Human Services
- Feeding America
- Food Research and Action Center
ADVOCACY INTEREST FORM
Have a question about Indy Hunger Network’s advocacy work? Fill out the form below to send us a message, and we’ll be in touch.