By Elket Rodríguez
We are facing a global hunger and malnutrition crisis of unprecedented proportions, and time is running out on a bill that will make a difference. The Farm Bill –a crucial piece of legislation that impacts not only American agriculture but also global food security– is up for reauthorization, with the current bill set to expire on September 30. We need your help to ensure that Congress passes and strengthens the Farm Bill to address these pressing issues.
The Farm Bill, renewed roughly every five years, plays a pivotal role in addressing local and global hunger, while promoting agriculture, food sectors and the economy. In the United States, many families have faced increasing challenges in recent years, including rising food prices, economic instability and other factors that have made it challenging to provide for their loved ones.
Shockingly, 1 in 8 children and 1 in 10 households in the U.S. currently struggles with food insecurity, meaning they lack the financial resources to adequately feed every member of their family. For the southwest region of the U.S., that statistic worsens. 1 in 7 children in Arizona, 1 in 5 children in Texas, 1 in 5 children in Oklahoma and 1 in 5 children in New Mexico experience hunger.
Adding to the distress, recent reductions in assistance programs and soaring grocery costs have further strained these families. Since March 2023, approximately 16 million U.S. households have seen reductions in their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) benefits, with families that include children experiencing an average loss of $223 per month in support.
The current global hunger crisis is also dire, affecting over 345.2 million people in 2023, double the number from 2020. If Congress does not pass and strengthen the Farm Bill before September 30, this crisis will worsen.
Tell your senators and representatives to support the reauthorization of the farm bill by clicking here. Share a personal story and let them know how your faith informs this advocacy action. You can also mobilize your church by writing letters to Congress, preach or pray for those struggling with hunger and for our nation’s lawmakers.
Elket Rodríguez is the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel serving the communities and the migrants in the U.S.-Mexico border. Elket hosts workshops in the U.S and in Mexico to educate migrants, asylum seekers, pastors, and churches on the biblical foundations of welcoming the stranger and loving our neighbor.
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CBF is a Christian network that helps people put their faith into practice through ministry efforts, global missions and a broad community of support. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.