Over 80 Texas Clergy of Diverse Faiths Call on State Legislature to Prioritize Ending Hunger
Last week, more than 80 clergy from across the state of Texas called upon Members of the state legislature to take action on behalf of those struggling with hunger. With nearly 17 percent of Texans struggling to put food on the table — the second-highest rate in the nation — the diverse group of faith leaders urged elected officials to prioritize policies such as the Summer EBT program and modernizing eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make meaningful progress towards ending hunger in the state.
Alongside leading anti-hunger organizations including MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Feeding Texas, and the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, the participating clergy reached out to members of the Texas legislature as “leaders who regularly witness the struggles of those within our communities facing hunger.” They wrote:
“Ensuring that all Texans, regardless of their circumstances, can access essential resources with dignity is not only a reflection of our values but a fundamental responsibility we share in building a just and compassionate society. We are united in our belief that ensuring every person has access to the basic necessities of life, including food, is a moral imperative.”
The clergy specifically called on the legislature to invest in improving the efficiency of Texas’s nutrition safety net programs, including implementing the Summer EBT program to keep kids fed during the summer, investing in necessary upgrades to Texas’ SNAP eligibility system, and streamlining program eligibility.
“There are no demographic boundaries when it comes to hunger — this issue impacts people of all faiths and backgrounds, in both rural and urban settings, every school district, and every community,” stated Abby J. Leibman, President & CEO at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. “Our deep conviction that all people are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with basic dignity and respect stems from our faith, as with each one of the brave clergy who brought this message directly to their elected officials. We are proud to stand with them in working to end hunger for all Texans and all Americans.”
“Hunger is not only a physical condition; it is a moral crisis that demands our immediate attention,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks. “Texas food banks, alongside faith communities with their deep-rooted values of compassion and justice, understand the profound impact of hunger on the human spirit. It is imperative that Texas lawmakers heed this united call to action. In addressing hunger, we uphold the dignity of every individual and fulfill our collective responsibility to care for one another.”
The full text of the letter and list of signers can be found below:
To the Honorable Members of the Texas Legislature:
We, the undersigned faith leaders and clergy from communities across Texas, write to you as members of diverse faith traditions that call for justice, dignity, and compassion for all. As leaders who regularly witness the struggles of those within our communities facing hunger, we are compelled to speak on their behalf.
Ensuring that all Texans, regardless of their circumstances, can access essential resources with dignity is not only a reflection of our values but a fundamental responsibility we share in building a just and compassionate society. We are united in our belief that ensuring every person has access to the basic necessities of life, including food, is a moral imperative.
Food insecurity in Texas has reached a crisis point, with an alarming 16.9% of Texans struggling to put food on the table, the second-highest rate in the nation. This rate is more than 4.5% higher than the U.S. average and marks a 1.4% increase compared to last year. This trend demands urgent action.
Our current systems are leaving far too many individuals and families without the resources they need to thrive. Factors like job loss, rising living costs, or health crises — often beyond people’s control—can push even the most hardworking Texans into hunger. Protecting and strengthening programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the cornerstone of our nation’s nutrition safety net, is essential for both the dignity of struggling Texans and the prosperity of our communities.
When Texas invests in improving the efficiency of its safety net programs — such as implementing the Summer EBT program to keep kids fed during the summer, investing in necessary upgrades to Texas’ benefit system, and streamlining program eligibility — we can maximize the amount of federal dollars flowing into the state to support those in need. These funds not only help struggling Texans access the nutrition and financial security they need; they also serve as an economic boost for local businesses and communities.
Our faith traditions teach us to feed the hungry, care for the vulnerable, and build systems of governance that reflect compassion and justice. We encourage you to administer these safety net programs in a way that reflects these values and eliminates unnecessary hardship for Texans already facing difficult circumstances. This legislative session, we ask you to prioritize policies — such as implementing the Summer EBT program and modernizing the SNAP eligibility system — that honor the inherent dignity of all Texans and make meaningful progress toward ending hunger in our state.
We stand ready to support efforts that prioritize the well-being of our neighbors and create a Texas where everyone can thrive.
Sincerely,
Rev. Laurie Anderson, Dallas
Rev. Tim Anderson, Austin
Rev. Ruben Andrade, Waco
Rev. Dara Austin, Dallas
Rev. Holly Bandel, Sachse
Rabbi Neil Blumofe, Austin
Rev. Stacey Brown, Grand Prairie
Rev. Dr Douglas Brown, Fort Worth
Rev. Marianne Brown-Trigg, Denton
Rabbi Amy Cohen, Austin
Pastor Armel Crocker, Dallas
Rev. Debra Crumpton, Arlington
Rev. Beth Dana, Dallas
Rev. Ashley Dellagiacoma, Houston
Rev. Monica E Diaz, Austin
Rev. Barbara Dunlap, Fort Worth
Rev. Ralph Emerson, Fort Worth
Rev. Jason Evans, Melissa
Rabbi Alan Freedman, Austin
Rev. Dr Ruben Garcia, Fort Worth
Pastor Jack Gilmore, Paige
Cantor Abby Gostein, Austin
Rev. Jermaine Grandberry, Bedford
Rev. Jonathan Greer, Dallas
Rabbi Will Hall, Austin
Rev. Matthew Hall, Fort Worth
Pastor Demarcus Hornsby, Fort Worth
Rabbi Daniel Horwitz, Houston
Rev. Terrence Howard, Fort Worth
Rev. Darrell Jefferson, Heartland
Rev. Charles Johnson, Fort Worth
Rev. Jenna Johnson, Wylie
Rabbi Nancy Kasten, Dallas
Rev. Kristin Klade, Fort Worth
Rabbi David Lyon, Houston
Rabbi Erin Mason, Bellaire
Rev. Dr. George Mason, Dallas
Rev. Dr. George Mason, Dallas
Rev. Annie McGregor Meek, Copeville
Rabbi Dr. Sabine Meyer, Waco
Rev. Dr. Robyn Michalove, Fort Worth
Rev. Amy Moore, Dallas
Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes, Dallas
Rabbi Steven Morgen, Houston
Rev. Heather Mustain, Plano
Rev. Dana Norton, Mesquite
Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, Houston
Rabbi Andrew Paley, Dallas
Rev. Jonathan Perry, Richardson
Rev. Tomeca Richardson, Fort Worth
Sister Patricia Ridgley, Dallas
Rabbi Debra Robbins, Dallas
Rev. Kantrice Robinson, Waco
Rabbi Adam Roffman, Dallas
Rabbi David Rosen, Houston
Rabbi Adrienne Scott, Houston
Rabbi Daniel Septimus, Austin
Rev. Ashley Anne Sipe, Lewisville
Rev. Barry Smith, Austin
Rev. Taylor Smith, The Colony
Rev. Kerry Smith, Dallas
Pastor Joseph Solomon, Copperas Cove
Rev. Brandie Spletzer, Arlington
Rev. Dr. Mary Spradlin, Fort Worth
Rabbi Dr. Eleanor Steinman, Austin
Rabbi Brian Strauss, Houston
Rev Beth Stuyck, Fort Worth
Rabbi Ari Sunshine, Dallas
Pastor Kentris Sweat, Nacogdoches
Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, Dallas
Rev. Dr. Harold VanArsdale, Killeen
Rev. Kristen Von Gonten, Belton
Cantor Renee Waghalter, Missouri City
Rabbi Shira Wallach, Dallas
Rev. Laura Walters, Dallas
Rev. Kristin Warthen, Arlington
Rev. Ginger Watson, Fort Worth
Cantor Hallie Weiner, Richardson
Pastor Joseph Williams, Fort Worth
Rabbi David Young, Austin
Rabbi Ben Zeidman, El Paso
Rabbi Brian Zimmerman, Fort Worth