Please feel free to edit. Mail, email or fax this letter to opinion leaders, editors, and lawmakers.
Search for local news editors
Search for elected officials
Federal
Dear Elected Official/Editor:
I believe we can achieve food security for all Minnesotans.
Food insecurity impacts 1 in 5 families with children. Food insecurity means the inability of people to obtain sufficient food for their household. Some people may find themselves skipping meals or cutting back on the quality or quantity of food they purchase at the stores. This recurring and involuntary lack of access to food can lead to malnutrition over time.
More people are strained to the breaking point by the economic crisis. Job layoffs, home foreclosures, higher poverty rates, and medical bills are making more families food insecure.
- In 2010, food shelves distributed groceries to struggling people 2.6 million times.
- Currently, 473,000 of us rely on Food Stamps.
- 40% of all school lunches in MN are free/reduced.
The most effective response to hunger in this economic crunch is to improve low income Minnesotans’ access to and participation in nutrition assistance programs.
Comprehensive hunger relief is achievable by investing in long-term solutions and bringing forward improved nutrition policies.
Programs such as food shelves, WIC and food support supplement income so families and seniors may buy healthy food and not be forced to skip meals. Bolstering benefits and increasing participation in school lunch, summer feeding, and food support allows struggling families to eat well and in turn, prevent many chronic illnesses. Food assistance also helps unemployed citizens make the transition back to self-sufficiency.
Hunger Solutions Minnesota is calling for all of our elected officials to preserve and strengthen the strong nutrition safety net. Please hold harmless the state and federal funding that supports hungry people.
Thank you,
Your Name
Contact Information