Hunger

The goal of the Hunger Task Force is to reduce hunger in Missouri and dependence on emergency food supplies.

Goals for 2010

For Missouri Families…
- Write the Food Stamp Program report with Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.
- Work with the State of Missouri to ensure that the Food Stamp Program is being run in the most efficient and beneficial way possible, through implementation of all optional and mandatory provisions.
- Educate social workers, non-profit workers and community members about the Food Stamp Program, WIC and Other Federal Nutrition Programs in the hopes of increasing participation among eligible individuals.
- Increase awareness of the importance of locally grown, sustainable agriculture and fresh foods (on the economy, the environment, our health) through urban gardening, farmers markets, personal gardening.
For Missouri Seniors… Advocate for the passage of a “Supplemental Food Stamps for Seniors” bill.
For Missouri Students…Work with the Food Research and Action Center and the State of Missouri to increase the number of feeding sites and the number of children taking part in the After School Supper Program.
For Missouri Ex-offenders… Increase public support for and advocate through the State Legislature for the passage of a bill that would allow Missouri to opt out of the Federal lifetime ban on ex- drug offenders from being eligible for food stamps.

2010 Advocacy Efforts

Opting out of the Lifetime Ban on Food Stamps
for those Convicted of a Drug Felony

Action Needed on Food Stamp Eligibility

Food Research and Action Center released the 2008 State of the States Report
Missouri numbers show:

12.9% of the population is food insecure
13.0% Poverty Rate
17.7% Child Poverty Rate

Presentation on the 2008 Farm Bill and Missouri Food Stamp Program

Learn how the 2008 Farm Bill has changed the Missouri Food Stamp Program and how those changes will affect your clients.

If you are interested in hosting one of these presentations please contact Christine Woody or 573-690-7662

Paper on the Changes Made to the Federal Food Stamp Program because of the Passage of the 2008 Farm Bill

2008 Farm Bill Nutrition Title Fact Sheet, prepared by the House Committee on Agriculture

Hunger Task Force Newsletter, May 2008

Missouri Hunger Atlas - 2008 report highlighting county by county hunger statistics in Missouri

More information

For more information on hunger in Missouri and across the United States please visit these websites:

Bread for the World
Food Research and Action Center
Share our Strength
MAZON, a Jewish Response to Hunger
United States Department of Agriculture

If you are interested in participating in the Hunger Task Force, please contact Ben DeFeo .

Staffed by Christine Woody .

Updated: 01/19/2010