Sept 14 is Call Your Member of Congress Day

We are running out of time to get the Child Nutrition Act governing the school lunch program passed before it expires and with it hopes for additional money to fund nutritious school lunches.

From Feeding America:

When Congress returns from recess next week, they will have less than three weeks to complete the reauthorization of child nutrition programs before those programs expire on September 30.

We're not going to let Congress waste any time--September 14 is "Call Your Member of Congress Day."

On September 14, advocates nationwide will call their Members of Congress, urging them to pass a strong child nutrition bill. We'll send an action alert that morning with talking points to help you make the case for stronger child nutrition programs. Mark your calendar and keep an eye out for our action alert.

Want to make sure you get through to your member of Congress? Sign up for our "patch through" service. We'll call you on September 14 and connect you directly to your Representative's office. Simply click here to provide your name and phone number. Then expect our call on September 14 and be ready to share your concerns about Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

Please sign up today to make sure you don't miss this critical opportunity to address child hunger!

Where does CNR stand in the House and the Senate?

Child nutrition programs offer the healthiest and most nourishing meals that many children receive each day, but far too many vulnerable children are not being served because programs are not accessible in their community. For these children, access to nutritious food ends with the school day, leaving them without enough to eat at breakfast, afterschool, on weekends, and during the summer.

The bill passed by the Senate (S. 3307) in August makes significant improvements in nutritional quality, but it does not make all the improvements needed to ensure that children are connected to the programs. Despite improvements to nutritional quality, child nutrition programs cannot make real progress against child hunger or childhood obesity if children do not have access to these programs.

The House bill (H.R. 5504) would do far more to connect low-income children with these important programs and the nutrition they provide. The House is expected to consider the child nutrition bill this month. It is critical that your Representative hears from you on September 14 to make sure our most vulnerable children have access to the nutritious food they need.

If you'd like more background on why this legislation is so crucial right now, read Jose Andres' piece in The Atlantic.

Sara