In 2010, Congress has an opportunity to reauthorize and improve the child nutrition programs that help feed millions of American children. You can help pass meaningful reform by sending an electronic message to your elected officials.

Hunger Task Force has updated our advocacy section of the website to make contacting your representatives easier than ever. Learn more about CNR and send a message to your Senators and Congressional representative by visiting our Contact Your Elected Officials page. Sending a message only takes a couple of minutes and your information is confidential. Even better, the site will remember your information when you visit to take action in the future.

Of the many legislative proposals introduced in Congress so far, Hunger Task Force is prioritizing H.R. 3047- the Balancing Act of 2009. Urge your representatives to champion this legislation because of the benefits in the areas of universal breakfast, afterschool meal program expansion, and the expansion of free lunch. Specifically, this legislation:

• Allows all schools to serve breakfast free of charge to all students

• Provides start-up assistance for schools to begin serving breakfast

• Expands the after-school dinner program from 13 states to all 50 states

• Eliminates reduced price lunch by allowing schools to serve free lunch to students at or below 185% of the federal poverty line. Using United States Department of Agriculture and School Nutrition Association estimates, there are about 1 million children in this country who are eligible for reduced price meals but are not currently participating in the National School Lunch Program. Eliminating the reduced price category would also make WIC and school meal eligibility guidelines consistent.

Tell your representatives you support making CNR a priority in 2010! Thank you for helping create a hunger-free community.