MAZON submitted formal comments regarding USDA's proposed changes to the way that SNAP benefits are calculated. We are deeply concerned that this proposal would restrict state flexibility and efficiency, circumvent Congressional intent, and cause significant harm to people who are struggling to feed themselves and their families.

MAZON and the Native Farm Bill Coalition wrote a letter to Rep. Haaland and Sen. Warren in support of the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act and asking for the inclusion of provisions enhancing Tribal sovereignty through food security and food sovereignty.

MAZON led 18 national faith-based organizations in a letter calling for Congress to give USDA the authority to fund federal nutrition programs for 120 days following the expiration of legislation to fund the government, to prevent the worsening of hunger.

MAZON joined over 100 national organizations expressing support for the “Dignity in Aging Act” (H.R. 4334) to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) — this bill unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives on October 28. We encourage the Senate to advance this bipartisan bill, which strengthens and increases funding authorizations for OAA programs that provide nutrition and other assistance to over 11 million seniors and caregivers.

MAZON joined over 20 organizations in a letter urging congressional appropriators to prohibit the relocation of USDA’s two key research agencies—the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)—from Washington, DC to Kansas City.

MAZON submitted formal comments for the reopened comment period regarding USDA’s proposed changes to Categorical Eligibility in SNAP. We are deeply concerned that this proposal will jeopardize free school meals for nearly one million children, potentially impacting community eligibility for nutrition programs and exacerbating the phenomenon of “lunch shaming.”

As an organization headquartered in California, MAZON is proud that 45 members of the state’s congressional delegation wrote a letter urging USDA to withdraw the three recent proposals that would harshly cut SNAP benefits for millions of Americans who struggle with hunger.

MAZON is pleased that 40 Members of Congress signed a letter urging USDA to withdraw its proposed rule change that would eliminate Categorical Eligibility in SNAP, citing that it would “take our country in the wrong direction in terms of caring for America’s veterans.”

MAZON led 23 national faith-based organizations in a letter opposing USDA’s proposed rule change regarding Categorical Eligibility in SNAP.

MAZON submitted formal comments to USDA regarding its proposed rule change to “revise” Categorical Eligibility in SNAP. We argue that the proposal will increase hunger and hardship in America, particularly for populations that have long been overlooked including seniors, currently-serving military families, veterans, Native Americans, and those in rural America.

MAZON is pleased to see a bipartisan group of 31 Members of Congress urge leaders of the House Armed Services Committee to address the long-overlooked issue of food insecurity among military families in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

MAZON joined over 30 organizations in a letter urging Washington D.C. councilmembers to ensure that LGBTQ older adults and older people living with HIV/AIDS are recognized among the “greatest social need” and included in D.C.’s planning for older adult services and supports.

MAZON is pleased to see a bipartisan group of 11 Senators urge leaders of the Senate Armed Service Committee to address the long-overlooked issue of food insecurity among military families in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

MAZON joined over 100 national organizations expressing support for the Working Families Tax Relief Act (H.R. 3157) which would help millions of struggling working families and low-income children by expanding the highly effective Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

MAZON joined over 100 national organizations expressing support for the Working Families Tax Relief Act which would help millions of struggling working families and low-income children by expanding the highly effective Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

MAZON wrote a letter urging House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership to preserve the Military Family Basic Needs Allowance in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report.

MAZON joined over 30 faith-based organizations in a letter urging Congress to pass a bipartisan budget deal that lifts caps for non-defense spending, and to prioritize funding for vulnerable populations in appropriations.

MAZON joined over 250 national organizations in a letter calling on Congress to lift caps on discretionary spending to ensure those who are struggling can meet basic needs.

MAZON’s letter to the Senate HELP Committee urges them to address food insecurity among seniors—in particular LGBT seniors—in the OAA reauthorization.

MAZON submitted comments in opposition to the Administrations proposed rule change to calculate the Official Poverty Measure. The changes would deny vital assistance to Americans in need by making the poverty line a less accurate reflection of their circumstances.

MAZON issued a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, calling for full funding of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) 638 Pilot Program.

MAZON joined over 30 anti-hunger, public health, and maternal health organizations urging passage of this act, which would invest in community health partnerships to sustain WIC’s public health nutrition success.

MAZON endorses Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Improving Access to Nutrition Act, which would lift SNAP time limits for able-bodies adults without dependents.

MAZON is heartened that 60 Members of Congress signed a letter urging USDA to rescind a proposed SNAP rule change that would negatively impact veterans who struggle with hiunger.

MAZON joined over a dozen national Jewish organizations in a letter calling on Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would mark a significant step forward for the LGBTQ community.

MAZON joined 15 other faith-based organizations in a letter calling on Congress to pass urgently needed disaster relief legislation, particularly in Puerto Rico.

MAZON joined over 20 faith-based organizations in a letter urging Congress to pass a bipartisan budget deal that raises the caps for non-defense discretionary spending and explicitly prioritizes critical low-income programs for additional investments, primarily housing assistance and the Census.

 

MAZON joined over 800 national, state, and local organizations urging Congress to take immediate steps to negotiate a bipartisan budget that prevents cuts to critical non-defense discretionary funding (NDD) programs including veterans’ health care, job training, education, housing, children’s services, the 2020 Census, national parks, scientific research, affordable housing and health and safety

MAZON led 20 community foundations in a letter opposing USDA’s proposed rule change to restrict current waiver standards for childless adults who participate in SNAP.

MAZON joined 36 faith-based organizations to voice concern over the proposed USDA waiver rule change, which would restrict states’ flexibility to provide vital nutrition support to people who struggle with hunger.

MAZON submitted formal comments to USDA regarding its proposed rule change to restrict current waiver standards for childless adults who participate in SNAP.

MAZON and other faith leaders sent a letter to Congress urging an immediate end to the government shutdown, which is having dire consequences for millions of food insecure Americans.

MAZON joined over 1,000 national organizations to strongly oppose the proposed ‘public charge’ rule change, which threatens the health and wellbeing of all of us.

MAZON joined 88 organizations calling on Farm Bill conference committee members to protect and strengthen SNAP for the women and children who rely on the program. 

MAZON joined more than 120 national organizations in a letter strongly urging the 2018 Farm Bill conferees to protect and strengthen SNAP.

MAZON invites Jewish clergy from across the nation to join our sign-on letter calling on lawmakers to protect SNAP and the millions of American families whose lives depend on it.

MAZON joined 31 LGBTQ and allied organizations to call on Farm Bill conferees to protect SNAP.

MAZON joined 33 national organizations urging Farm Bill conferees to protect and strengthen SNAP on behalf of older Americans who struggle with hunger.

 

MAZON joined over 40 faith-based organizations from across the country to call on Members of Congress to protect SNAP in the Farm Bill.

 

MAZON, along with over 50 national faith-based organizations, sent a letter to Members of Congress highlighting principles for a Farm Bill that protects and strengthens nutrition assistance programs in the U.S.

MAZON joined 167 organizations to express opposition to the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2). This bill’s proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) threaten the economic security of women and families.

MAZON joined 56 LGBTQ and allied organizations to ask Congress to oppose the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. This bill, as written, will have exceptionally negative impacts on the health and wellness of the LGBTQ community. 

MAZON joined 35 nonprofit, advocacy, and public health organizations to urge Congress to protect and strengthen SNAP in the Farm Bill, particularly on behalf of older Americans and seniors, who will be greatly impacted if these harmful proposals move forward.

MAZON submitted formal comments to USDA regarding its advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to change rules that govern the 3-month time limit on certain SNAP recipients.

WIC is an evidence-based program that has been instrumental in improving at-risk women and children’s health, growth and development for 44 years. MAZON joined anti-hunger and public health organizations and advocates to urge the Appropriations committee to continue to provide sufficient funding for WIC so that all eligible applicants can be served.

On behalf of the undersigned religious denominations and faith-based organizations representing millions of people of faith across the country, we write to express our deepest concern about proposals to undermine Americans’ basic living standards by imposing work requirements on essential anti-poverty programs.

MAZON joined The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and eight other major Jewish organizations to send a letter to Secretary Wilbur Ross, urging the U.S. Commerce Department to protect the integrity of the 2020 Census by not including a new question regarding citizenship.

 In order to help address food insecurity, Congress authorized the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). CSFP serves nearly 700,000 low-income adults age 60 and up each year with monthly shelf-stable, nutrient rich foods. 

Charitable nonprofits and houses of worship can only be successful if we maintain public trust in our integrity and commitment to mission. Politicizing them for the benefit of politicians and partisan donors would destroy that trust. Every charitable dollar spent on partisan campaign politics is one less dollar spent on the public good. 

The CSFP provides low-income adults age 60 and over with monthly boxes of shelf-stable, nutrient-rich USDA foods. In 2018, CSFP will serve nearly 700,000 seniors, delivering crucial nutrition to enable them to preserve or improve their health and independence. 

We, the undersigned national Jewish organizations and institutions, are united in our belief that government should work to expand, not limit, access to health care. We are deeply concerned that the Graham-Cassidy health care proposal will significantly undermine access to care for the most vulnerable. We call on you to oppose this bill when it comes to a vote. 

“Our message to you is clear:  there is no way to keep the promise of prosperity for all Americans, including families with children, women, seniors, people with disabilities, communities of color, and others who are being left behind in the 21^st century economy, without significantly increasing investments in public education, affordable housing, health and nutrition, public transit, roads and bridges, clean air, clean water, clean energy, child care, and other means of making investments in communities that also create good jobs.”

No children should ever have to go to the school cafeteria and be publicly humiliated because they cannot afford their lunch. No students should be asked to do chores in front of their peers, made to wear wristbands or handstamps, or have their lunch thrown out as their friends look on. 

We, the undersigned faith organizations and members of the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs, urge you to increase funding for the U.S. Census Bureau in the House and Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science bills for Fiscal Year 2017 and Fiscal Year 2018. Our faith traditions compel us to care for those most in need, and providing adequate funding for an effective 2020 Census is a crucial prerequisite for federal policies and programs to respond to the needs of marginalized communities.

MAZON is pleased to support Assembly Bill 453 (Limón) which establishes an innovative approach to provide some support to food insecure students on California's college campuses. The "Food Insecure-Free Campus" designation would encourage and incentivize anti-hunger efforts on California's public university campuses. 

"It's about a system that was designed to support them that is failing in that goal," said Leibman. "We have a military that takes care of its own. Well, here's a place where it's failing, so it needs to course correct." - Abby J. Leibman Read the full article on KPCC

Two more days in #CentralPark, come and experience #thisishunger!

NWA has written a letter to Congress asking for $6.36 billion for WIC in the FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations bill to: Ensure that no eligible applicants be turned away; maintain current and anticipated WIC participation levels; ensure adequate funding for nutrition education, breastfeeding support, referral services, and administration; respond adequately to forecasts of food cost inflation; and provide funds to maintain clinic staffing and assure competitive salaries.

We are so honored to have been invited again to testify before Congress. MAZON’s Vice President of Public Policy, provided unique and compelling testimony to the House Agriculture Committee on The Next Farm Bill: The Future of SNAP. Watch testimony

The scene: a high-level roundtable dialogue with elected tribal leaders from across the country assembled on one side of the table, and US government officials seated on the other side.  Last month I had the privilege of attending the USDA Tribal Consultation Meeting in Washington DC. Read more

Our Op-Ed with Rep. Susan Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune 

Thx @MAZONusa for raising hunger awareness. More than 780,000 Marylanders rely on monthly @USDA SNAP benefits to fight off hunger.

MAZON board and staff met with Members of Congress to discuss SNAP and the importance of it in ending hunger in America.

The new Administration has spoken. And it is clear from the recent executive orders and policy prescriptions under consideration that this Administration and Republican leaders in Congress are ready and willing to wage a war on the most vulnerable among us. MAZON will not stand idly by and allow this to happen.

MAZON's series on SNAP includes: a rationale for why the federal government must respond to hunger, a baseline understanding of SNAP, and the reality behind any harmful proposals and how they will actually impact our communities. Read more

These changes could affect hungry vets. Hiring Freeze and Obamacare Repeal Could Clobber @DeptVetAffairs : owl.li/sSRu308lNNI

“While we have serious concerns about decisions made during Sonny Perdue’s two terms as governor of Georgia, we welcome the opportunity to work with him to become a strong supporter of federal nutrition assistance programs."

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger welcomes President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Dr. David Shulkin as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. As undersecretary for health at the Department of Veterans Affairs – an appointment by President Obama in 2015 – Dr. Shulkin has increased the department’s efforts to identify and address hunger among veterans.

Thanks @SecretaryCastro for answering the call and reducing veteran homelessness nearly in half. 

The very real threats to SNAP are absolutely chilling. #SNAPworks

The surprising results of the 2016 election cycle have sent shock waves through the political world, leading advocates and interest groups scrambling to comprehend and plan for the new reality ahead.  The implications for federal anti-hunger policies are chilling, with evidence of a more difficult political environment already playing out in the recently concluded Lame Duck session of Congress.

MAZON wanted to outline in broad strokes the challenges we anticipate confronting ahead.

The surprising results of the 2016 election cycle have sent shock waves through the political world, leading advocates and interest groups scrambling to comprehend and plan for the new reality ahead.  The implications for federal anti-hunger policies are chilling, with evidence of a more difficult political environment already playing out in the recently concluded Lame Duck session of Congress.

MAZON wanted to outline in broad strokes the challenges we anticipate confronting ahead. 

Our organizations, which make up the National Anti-Hunger Organizations, are committed to ensuring a strong and effective national nutrition safety net for vulnerable, low-income individuals and families. With a united voice, we reflect on the hunger problem in America and its solutions as we transition to a new president and a new Congress.

Our organizations, which make up the National Anti-Hunger Organizations, are committed to ensuring a strong and effective national nutrition safety net for vulnerable, low-income individuals and families. With a united voice, we reflect on the hunger problem in America and its solutions as we transition to a new president and a new Congress.

Thanks @SenStabenow and @SenPatRoberts for leadership pushing for CNR bill with helpful improvements. Disappointed this didn't get done.

Military pay/benefits top concern for families in @BlueStarFamily survey. Removing SNAP barrier will help owl.li/exXY306UE9D #BSFSurvey

We are pleased with the introduction of the Military Hunger Prevention Act by Congresswoman Susan Davis this week. If enacted, this legislation will make a meaningful difference to the tens of thousands of currently serving military families who struggle with food insecurity yet face a needless barrier to accessing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

LA nonprofit raises awareness of hunger in a new way: a big rig owl.li/xhY8306hQWs via @KPCC #thisishunger

For the 42 million Americans who struggle with food insecurity, our work is more important than ever and we are more determined than ever to keep fighting for them.

TAKE ACTION and ask Congress: how will you help the 42 million Americans struggling w hunger? owl.li/MSbA3059FQ5 

Today, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger delivered more than one thousand paper plate letters to White House leaders as part of a program that engages campers at Jewish summer camps around the country in meaningful anti-hunger education and advocacy work.

As the old saying goes, “If a dog bites a man, it’s not news, but if a man bites a dog, you’ve got a story.” Unfortunately, “SNAP Helps Disabled Senior Afford Groceries” breaks neither skin nor headlines.

D-SNAP, or “Disaster SNAP,” is a crucial tool to help people who do not normally receive SNAP get back on their feet. D-SNAP is an addendum to the SNAP program that provides short-term food assistance to eligible households who have disaster-related expenses (a disaster-related expense may include temporary housing or personal injury).

The party conventions are over, members of Congress are campaigning back in their districts, and the 2016 election is about to enter its final stretch. With election day just 77 days away, I bet some of us wish it came much sooner! 

A Hunger Crisis in the L.G.B.T. Community

"Military families shouldn't struggle with hunger. But they do - and that needs to stop."

"As an African-American woman representing a Jewish organization working in Indian Country, I call up our common history of genocide, persecution and discrimination as a starting place for shared analysis and perspective. But I do so knowing that non-Natives cannot direct the struggle for Native food security, no matter how well-meaning we are."

@HillaryClinton put a spotlight on hunger among military families. Our military hunger work: owl.li/bTBZ301u9V9

Glad we can count on @stabenow to support military + vet food insecurity issues and to fight for a strong #CNR2016

THX @joniernst @SenGillibrand for calling on Sec. McDonald + @DeptVetAffairs to take a more proactive response to hunger among vets.

Last week we brought together 24 organizations that serve military families to the MAZON Military Hunger Summit to explore the barriers that prevent veterans and currently serving military families from accessing vital food assistance programs. It was a privilege for MAZON to lead these remarkable advocates in powerful discussions about potential ways to surmount those barriers.

It was an amazing experience and one that will inform our vital advocacy efforts on behalf of those who serve or have served our nation so bravely.

Earlier this week, MAZON staff and board members headed to Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of military and veteran families. There are actually active duty military families that desperately need SNAP but can’t qualify because of a drafting oversight in the law. We met with lawmakers to urge them to remedy this oversight without delay. Read more about our Help Our Heroes initiative.

Anti-hunger Orgs: Oppose House School Meal Block Grant Proposal: owl.li/XKiZ3010SnT via @fractweets #stoptheblock

How does MAZON fight hunger? Advocacy is at the heart of everything we do. owl.li/4nfBAO #advocacy #endhunger

Using the traditions and symbols of the Passover holiday, we brought together partners and colleagues from Congress, the Administration, USDA, and military and veterans service organizations to our nation's capitol, reaffirming together our commitment to ensure that all who are hungry can come and eat.

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Budget recently voted in support of a budget proposal for FY 2017. Though the Republican committee leadership titled this proposal “A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America,” it raises serious questions about who is actually strengthened by their plan and on whose backs it is balanced. Tell your Rep: VOTE NO!

In partnership with USDA Food and Nutrition Service, this accredited training on Veteran Food Insecurity and SNAP will be offered to more than 12,000 social workers and dietitians in the VA system.

#ActOnPassover bit.ly/2016Passover #militaryhunger

Did you know that 1 in 7 Americans don't have enough to eat? bit.ly/realityofhunger

Abby J. Leibman, MAZON President & CEO testifies before Congress as an expert witness on the topic of hunger among military and veteran families.

We believe that those who make great sacrifices to our country should not struggle to provide regular, nutritious meals. #militaryhunger

This is a huge step forward and we are proud that this bi-partisan commission recognizes that there are significant food insecurity challenges facing military and veterans.  

LIVE on #Periscope: Veterans shouldn't be hungry. Let's ensure they aren't.

In partnership with MomsRising and Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), we're engaging activists to raise awareness about food insecurity among active duty military and veteran families. 

For several years, our partners have voiced concerns that a growing number of military and veteran families are seeking food assistance. Our response? We pursued this often-ignored issue because we feel strongly that those who make significant sacrifices for our country should never struggle to put food on the table. 

MAZON led 16 sessions of advocacy training for campers ages 12-18 at summer camps in four states: CA, WI, TX and MA.

Child Nutrition Reauthorization: What You Won't See On the Nightly News

MAZON collaborated on the development, strategy and introduction of the proposed legislation.

MAZON wrote a letter urging House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership to preserve the Military Family Basic Needs Allowance in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Report.

@StopHunger 6 million seniors are food insecure, making senior feeding programs SO important. #OAA50

MAZON board members, staff and supporters met with key members of Congress to discuss MAZON's priorities for Child Nutrition Reauthorization; the Older Americans Act; protecting funding and integrity for SNAP; and addressing food insecurity challenges for veterans and active duty military families. 

MAZON's Director of Government Affairs, Josh Protas, led a webinar to a group of VA chaplains nationwide. This first ever webinar covered SNAP awareness and the barriers that veterans face when accessing benefits. 

MAZON's VP of Programs, Mia Hubbard, was invited to testify before the National Commission on Hunger. She urged them to do more to address hunger among active duty and military families and veterans by: 

1. demanding more data to accurately document food insecurity levels
2. removing policy barriers that deny families the resources they need
3. urging agency collaboration to ensure disabled veterans are able to access food benefits

MAZON helped craft a bipartisan amendment to help struggling military families access SNAP benefits. The amendment was not included in the final bill, BUT did help call attention to the long-ignored issue of hunger among military families. 

Outgoing Board Chair, Rabbi Harold Kravitz, offered the opening prayer on the floor of the U.S. Senate. This honor was extended by Senator Al Franken (MN) and Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, Rear Admiral Barry C. Black. 

MAZON staffed a booth at the Celebrate Israel Festival in LA to raise awareness of the prevalence of hunger in the Jewish State. 

RT @TheRAC: @jprotas on how to advocate for programs that help those suffering from food insecurity. #RAC15

We will never food bank our way out of hunger.

Abby Leibman of @StopHunger talking abt the need to #EndChildHunger @ the #NationalHungerSeder @theJCPA

MAZON hosted and gave the keynote presentation at the conference, held at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The conference convened NGOs, universities, and government officials to discuss the current state of hunger in Israel, as well as the best ways to work jointly to address it. 

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives entered multiple stories from "This Is Hunger" into the Congressional Record. Watch video