Advocate

Watch And Learn More About Advocacy

Whether you’re just getting started with advocacy or expanding your knowledge, watch these videos for the latest updates in anti-hunger policy.

SNAP in Crisis: The Cuts, Consequences and Plan for Collective Action - July 2025

Congress recently passed a budget bill that includes historic and devastating cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), our nation’s frontline defense against hunger. The bill will make it more difficult for eligible people to qualify and remain on SNAP and will also shift significant program costs to states, creating considerable strain on local budgets. These changes and more weaken a program that is a nutritional lifeline for millions in the U.S. In moments like this—when the most vulnerable are being pushed further to the margins—our advocacy becomes not just important, but essential. Now is the time to raise our voices, organize our communities, and continue to demand a future where no one goes hungry. Join our webinar to hear in-depth about the cuts to SNAP, the anticipated consequences of the changes, and most importantly, how we can harness our collective power to fight back.

Father and son at a Chicago pantry

Protecting Illinois Families: The Fight Against SNAP & Medicaid Cuts - June 2025

The House of Representatives budget reconciliation bill includes historic, devastating cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Make no mistake: this proposal would slash billions in basic food assistance for millions of people across the country. While framed as a fiscal measure, the impact of these changes would ripple across entire sectors, affecting families, hospitals, health care providers, farmers, grocers, schools, local governments and more. Watch the recap of our webinar to hear about the proposed cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, how these changes would impact our communities, and how YOU, anti-hunger advocates, can continue to lift your voice and tell Congress to vote NO on these devastating cuts!

Your voice and engagement are crucial in this mission to end hunger and address its root causes. Together we can energize our community to take action and build a powerful advocacy movement in 2025 and beyond!

Woman with a loaded shopping cart

Public Policy and Hunger: Taking Action in 2025 - January 2025

We are anticipating significant federal-level threats to our nutrition safety net, including vital programs like SNAP, WIC and school meals. Join us to learn more about how we can collectively defend and strengthen these lifeline programs, while we also advance impactful policies in Illinois to ensure every neighbor has the food they need to thrive.

Your voice and engagement are crucial in this mission to end hunger and address its root causes. Together we can energize our community to take action and build a powerful advocacy movement in 2025 and beyond!
Women shopping for canned goods

Advocating for a Farm Bill to Strengthen Our Nutrition Safety Net - June 2024

Federal nutrition programs and the emergency food system work together to protect Illinois families against hunger and improve their access to nutritious food. Several of these programs, such as SNAP, are authorized in the Farm Bill, making it a critical opportunity to strengthen our nutritional safety net to work better for Illinois residents.

Farm Bill discussions were extended into 2024 - join this webinar to hear our policy priorities and how you can advocate for a strong Farm Bill that protects all Illinoisans!
A young child holds groceries

Farm Bill Policy Priorities - March 2023

About every 5 years, Congress negotiates to renew a sweeping bundle of legislation known as the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is an extremely important piece of legislation that is set to be renewed in 2023 and will be a critical opportunity to strengthen SNAP and other nutritional programs at the federal level.

Learn from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank and the St. Louis Area Food Bank about the farm bill priorities for Illinois food banks, and ways you can get involved in advocacy.

Join us to End Hunger and its Root Causes

We need you to help advocate for policies that protect our community from hunger! We invite our neighbors and community leaders to work with the Food Depository on important policy changes. We offer training and resources. Contact us to learn more about how to lift your voice to end hunger.

Contact Us