October 23, 2007
(updated)

Food Stamp and Emergency Food Aid at Stake 
Senate Agriculture Committee action on the Farm Bill is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 24^th. Visit the Senate Agriculture Committee Web site (http://agriculture.senate.gov/ and click on “Hearings”) to access any updates, as well as listen to a live feed of the hearing. At stake are new investments in the Food Stamp Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The House-passed Farm Bill nutrition title (H.R. 2419) raises food stamp benefit levels (including for the minimum benefit), improves food stamp access, and bolsters TEFAP funding. Now is the time to urge the Senate to build on the House-passed nutrition title.

NEW! Click to access the latest summary and legislative language of the Harkin "Chairman's Mark" for consideration at tomorrow's Agriculture Committee mark-up.

Food Stamp and Nutrition Hotline
Call Senators via 800-826-9624. You'll hear a brief explanation of what's at stake, and will then be asked for your home phone and zip code. You will choose which Senator you'd like to contact first and will be connected directly to their office. Once connected, tell your Senators to provide additional funding to strengthen the Farm Bill Food Stamp and nutrition programs. Tell them that you want to increase the Food Stamp benefit beyond the current ten dollar monthly minimum that has not changed for 30 years. Also urge them to update current rules to expand access to benefits. No one should be hungry. Finallly, let your Senator know that you want the Food Stamp program to be more accessible to those who need it most. 

The toll-free line has been made available by AARP, and will be available throughout the Senate consideration of the Farm Bill. Join the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) in spreading this toll-free number and message.

Hotline Message
Intro: Thank you for calling the Food Stamp and Nutrition hotline. Many more among us are living with hunger or inadequate access to food. But the Senate can change that and make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans. 

The House has done the right thing, and now it is time for the Senate to act. Tell your Senators that you want to increase the Food Stamp benefit beyond the current ten dollar monthly minimum that has not changed for 30 years. Also urge them to update current rules to expand access to benefits. No one should be hungry. Let your Senator know that you want the Food Stamp program to be more accessible to those who need it most. The Senate needs to provide additional funding to strengthen the Food Stamp and nutrition programs. 

Closing: Once connected, tell your Senators to provide additional funding to strengthen the Farm Bill Food Stamp and nutrition programs.

Feedback and Assistance 
For feedback and/or further assistance, contact evollinger@frac.org and eteller@frac.org

Prepared by Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; 202-986-2200 x3016; www.frac.org