So many of the drivers of hunger are addressed — or not — through public policy.
Government funding for food purchases and distribution is set through the state budget process. Members of Congress determine who is eligible for SNAP (often called FNS or ‘food stamps’) and how much support families receive for groceries. Local elected officials directly influence whether school meals, backpack programs, and other supports will be available to kids in our communities.
Whether at the polls or in government buildings across the state, hunger is always on the ballot in some way. And it’s critical that all of us who care about hunger make our voices heard.
Broad, Bipartisan Support
From funding for food purchases from local farmers, to disaster relief aid, to eligibility for SNAP, WIC, and senior meals, many decisions that directly impact people facing hunger are made at the State Capitol, in the halls of Congress, and even at the ballot box.
Hunger and poverty touch all of our lives in some way, regardless of party affiliation or political ideology. At the Food Bank, We work hard to bring decision-makers together to focus on eliminating hunger and its root causes in our communities. And we’re proud to have the support of leaders across the political spectrum who believe in our vision for a hunger-free future — because it will take all of us working together to achieve it.
Collective Action for Change
More than 560,000 people face hunger today across central and eastern North Carolina. Our Food Bank Network provides more than 90 million meals each year to help meet emergency needs. Yet even at our scale, we know we can’t provide enough food for everyone facing food insecurity. We have to do more to prevent hunger and poverty from happening in the first place.
That’s why thousands of Food Bank supporters are joining together to advocate for the policies and investments we need to meet today’s challenges head-on and end hunger for good. Because the decisions we make in the coming weeks will directly impact our collective ability to stop hunger at its roots.
What’s on the Ballot
Each election season, our friends at Democracy North Carolina produce a free, non-partisan guide that covers all public offices, referenda issues, and their potential impacts on our day-to-day lives. You can also view a sample ballot that includes everything to expect for your specific address and community!
Have questions about who does what in our government? Want to see who currently represents you and your neighborhood? Find non-partisan facts at NCvoter.org.
Action Beyond Election Day
Our communities are facing the highest rate of hunger we’ve seen since the Great Recession — higher than the peak of the pandemic. Alongside our efforts to meet the rising demand for food assistance, the Food Bank works to empower our communities to build long-term solutions to hunger together.
At the local, state, and federal levels, our non-partisan advocacy efforts push for public policies and investments that help us move closer to a future where no one goes hungry. Learn more, sign up for public policy updates, and take quick actions to make a difference on upcoming legislation at our Public Policy & Advocacy Center.
