DC Lobby Day Had Hunger Task Force Team Members on Capitol Hill to Advocate for Food Assistance Programs

Last week, Hunger Task Force leaders and members of the Advocacy Team joined other anti‑hunger advocates from across the country at Food Research & Action Center’s (FRAC) annual Anti‑Hunger Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. Sessions and workshops covered everything from enrolling vulnerable populations in nutrition programs and engaging voters in hunger relief efforts to using local advocacy to influence federal food‑security policy. Hearing best practices from food‑pantry coordinators and statewide outreach leaders sparked fresh ideas for connecting with underserved communities and reinforced why collaboration and joint advocacy matter. 

A valuable takeaway for Allen Castillo, FoodShare Outreach Program Manager at Hunger Task Force, was learning the behind-the-scenes information about the approval pathways for adopting new waivers or modern options for the program and the levels of sign-off required for various program changes. Understanding how that system works helps the Hunger Task Force FoodShare team engage the right stakeholders and provides a clear scope and timeline to advocate for specific updates to Wisconsin’s FoodShare Program.

Allen Castillo and Reno Wright, Advocacy Director at Hunger Task Force, took their insights to Capitol Hill. Teaming up with other anti-hunger organizations from Wisconsin, they met with representatives and staff from the offices of Bryan Steil (WI-D1), Mark Pocan (WI-D2), Derrick Van Orden (WI-D3), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-D5), Glenn Grothman (WI-D6), Tom Tiffany (WI-D7) and Tony Wied (WI-D8) and asked them to protect Food Assistance programs in the upcoming Budget Reconciliation vote by opposing state cost‑sharing, resisting additional work requirements and preserving Thrifty Food Plan funding. They also requested that they safeguard the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), known locally as Stockbox, and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which stocks local food pantries with government foods. By presenting congressional district data and sharing stories from the people our organizations serve, the group showed who would be affected by the decisions they make back home in Wisconsin. The staff was engaged and open to conversation. When Selena Darrow, CEO of Rooted In Inc., shared that many seniors at her pantry skip meals to pay medical bills, a senior legislative aide’s eyes lit up and immediately made the connection between healthcare (which is also facing budget cuts) and food insecurity.

Together, the Wisconsin teams spoke with one voice and made it clear that food insecurity is not a local issue—it’s statewide. Sharing our data and stories opened doors with legislative offices and laid the groundwork for follow up on FoodShare, Stockbox and emergency food. Our partnership proves how much we can accomplish when we stand united. The work to end future hunger continues and we look forward to how we can continue to work together to end future hunger for all Wisconsinites.

Has FoodShare, CSFP or a local food pantry helped you in a time of need? Join Voices Against Hunger and share your story with decision‑makers.

Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.