Capitol

Elevating our Voices to Help our Food-Insecure Neighbors

The North Texas Food Bank advocates to protect and defend policies that seek to close the hunger gap at the federal, state, and local levels.

Our advocacy program relies on passionate people to help us achieve our mission and fight for those who suffer from hunger. 39% of the meals we provide access to are tied to government programs. Protecting and strengthening these programs allows NTFB to realize our vision of a hunger-free healthy North Texas.

Advocacy Mission & Goals

We strive to reduce food insecurity by promoting and defending anti-hunger policies at all levels of government through partnerships with public officials and community advocates.

  • Support, protect, and increase funding for essential hunger relief programs at all levels of government.
  • Partner with Local, State and Federal Agencies to identify opportunities to decrease food insecurity.
  • Build a coalition of public officials and community anti-hunger advocates.
State Legislative Forum, 12.16.2025. L to R: Stacey Malcomson, Senior Source, President and CEO, State Rep. Elect Cassandra Hernandez HD 115; State Rep. Rhetta Bowers HD 113; State Rep. Toni Rose, HD 110; Rebecca Lopez, WFAA; Katherine Krause, CEO, VNA; Clarissa Clarke, NTFB Government Relations Officer, Shannon Dion, Secure Our Seniors, Director; Renae Perry, Senior Source, COO.
Staff from US Congressional and State Legislative offices participate in a volunteer shift at NTFB in December 2023.
Clarissa Clarke from NTFB and Teresa Jackson from Sharing Life visit Congressman Pat Fallon’s office to speak with his District Director Virginia Hannan and her pup. September 2023.
The introduction of the Nakayoshi Initiative, the newest NTFB affinity group. Left to right: James Huang with NiHao Food Bank Initiative, Trisha Cunningham with NTFB, Dr. Sam Shichijo with Nakayoshi Initiative, Plano Mayor John Muns, State Senator Nathan Johnson SD 16, and HungerMitao founders Raj and Anna Asava. April 2024.
Congressman Marc Veasey TX-33 and State Representative Miheala Plesa HD 70 carry a box of food to be delivered to one of our senior neighbors during the NTFB press conference honoring DoorDash 100 million meal deliveries through Project Dash in April 2024.
Former Mayor of Irving and current Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne TX 24 sent a welcome video for our annual Mayor Day in May of 2024.
Left to right, Kenndey Hill, Tarrant Area Food Bank, Jamie Olson, Feeding Texas, Kelvin Browning, Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Angelyn Page, Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry, Clarissa Clarke, NTFB, Jared Williams, Tarrant Area Food Bank.
NTFB Board Chair Ginny Kissling and Madeline Kissling with Congressman Lance Gooden.
Farm Bill Washington DC Fly-In, March 2024. Representatives from partner agencies, The Network, Aunt Bette’s Pantry, Hope for You and Catholic Charities, ran into Congressman Keith Self in the hallway.
NTFB celebrated with DoorDash as it marked the 100 millionth delivery by Project Dash. In attendance were Mike Pomerantz from DoorDash, Congressman Marc Veasey – TX33, NTFB CEO Trisha Cunningham, State Representative Mihaela Plesa Texas House District 103, and Keith Fernandez from DoorDash
Mabrie Jackson And Panelists
NTFB Board Member Mabrie Jackson leads a panel discussion on anti-hunger policy with Representative Carl Sherman, Senator Nathan Johnson, and Representative Matt Shaheen at our Legislative Breakfast (Dec. 2022)
Director of Government Relations Dr. Valerie Hawthorne meets with Senator Ted Cruz during Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C..
Congressman Colin Allred and his staff visit NTFB for a volunteer experience, pictured with Dan Adriansen.
CEO Trisha Cunningham and Director of Government Relations Dr. Valerie Hawthorne give a tour to Senator John Cornyn and his wife Sandy Cornyn.
Trisha Cunningham, Dr. Valerie Hawthorne, Erica Yaeger, Tom Black, and Bill Hogg at Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C.
NTFB staff members getting on the bus to participate in Advocacy Day in Austin.
Dr. Valerie Hawthorne providing testimony before the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Dr. Valerie Hawthorne and Trisha Cunningham with State Representatives Matt Shaheen, Michelle Beckley, Rhetta Bowers, and John Turner at the Legislative Breakfast
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson at the North Texas Food Bank with Advocacy Program Manager, Dan Adriansen
U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson at the Black History Month Celebration of Giving event, pictured with Dan Adriansen
Paige Flink, U.S. Congressman Colin Allred, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, NTFB CEO and President Trisha Cunningham, NTFB Director of Government Relations Dr. Valerie Hawthorne, and Joleen Bagwell.
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett meets with NTFB Executive Leadership and Celia Cole of Feeding Texas to discuss the 2023 Farm Bill
NTFB staff and stakeholders take the bus back to NTFB from Austin after NTFB Advocacy Day at the State Capitol
NTFB Advocacy Day in Austin (April 12, 2023)
NTFB CEO Trisha Cunningham and Crossroads Community Services CEO Benaye Watkins Chambers with Rep. Venton Jones after their meeting at the Texas State Capitol

Advocacy Awards

The North Texas Food Bank was inducted into Feeding America's Advocacy Hall of Fame and earned a spot on Food Bank News' Highest Honor Roll for Excellence in Advocacy.

Advocacy Partners

For more information, contact our Government Relations Director, Clarissa Clarke at clarissa.clarke@ntfb.org .