NTFB Advocates for Anti-Hunger Policies During Food Bank Day at the State Capitol

North Texas Food Bank joined Feeding Texas to ask lawmakers for support of critical issues impacting food insecurity.

North Texas Food Bank staff, partner agency leaders and affinity group members joined Feeding Texas on April 2 for Texas Food Bank Day at the Capitol.

NTFB took its largest group yet to Austin, with over 60 individuals spending the day meeting with lawmakers who represent the 12 counties served by NTFB.

For Akira Bradford and many others, the message for lawmakers was personal.

Akira, a recent graduate of the phlebotomy training program at NTFB partner Empowering the Masses, told representatives that it was because of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that she was able to begin a new career and set herself on a path of self-sufficiency. Akira (pictured below) asked lawmakers to support House Bill 2202 and Senate Bill 1031, which would utilize technology and verified data sources to streamline the six-month SNAP eligibility check.

Currently, Health and Human Services Commission staff must manually check applications every six months, which has contributed to a backlog and a delay in eligible Texans receiving the benefits they need. A streamlined system would be more efficient and save the state approximately $33 million each year.

“I was on SNAP so I could get through the program,” Akira said, adding that she started a higher-paying job as a phlebotomist in January and no longer needs SNAP. “It was a struggle, but I made it and now I’m so thankful that I want to volunteer and give back.”

SNAP was one of three major issues that NTFB advocated for during the trip.

They also urged state senators and representatives to support Summer EBT, which is a USDA program that allows low-income families to receive additional benefits over the summer when free and reduced-price school meals are unavailable to their children. Rep. Toni Rose has added to the budget the administrative costs Texas would have to pay to implement the federal program in 2027 and NTFB is asking lawmakers to support it. The program would bring $450 million in federal tax dollars back to Texas while ensuring children are nourished through the summer.

Jami Russell, Executive Director at Dallas Bethlehem Center, told her representatives about two young girls who visit Dallas Bethlehem during their hot dinner offerings twice a week. In the summer, Jami says the girls take as many extra snacks home as they’re able to after dinner, which is something they don’t do when they have the security of a free lunch during the school year.

“There is definitely an impact on the kids in our community when they’re not receiving school meals,” she said.

NTFB staff, partners and volunteers also advocated for the passage of House Bill 2946, which would give Medicaid providers the flexibility to provide “food as medicine” and other services that could improve health outcomes by increasing access to healthy food.

Betty Liu, a student who attended with NTFB affinity group Nihao, researched that issue and the SNAP bill as part of a project and said she enjoyed talking with her state representative’s office about why the issues are so important.

“I believe right now in Texas we do have the resources to solve hunger,” she said. “It’s just about allocating our resources the right way.”

NTFB was also joined by representatives from several other Feeding Texas network members, including Tarrant Area Food Bank, Houston Food Bank and San Antonio Food Bank.

During the day, Senators approved a proclamation recognizing April 2 as Food Bank Day at the Capitol. Several senators spoke in support of the measure, including Sen. Royce West, Sen. Tan Parker and Sen. Angela Paxton, whose district includes Collin County where NTFB is located.

“Thank you for all that you do, especially to meet the needs of children,” Paxton said.

Clarissa Clarke, NTFB Government Relations Officer, said she’s witnessed many proclamations but has never seen so many senators stand up to thank a group like they did yesterday when recognizing food bank members.

“It made me so proud when they stood up, turned around, and applauded you,” she told those who took part in the trip. “They saw us and heard us.”

Clarissa said she’s so thankful to those who took the time to advocate. She added that the work is ongoing, and she looks forward to continuing to advocate for policies that ensure our neighbors have access to the food they need to thrive.