Write an Advocacy Letter

Tell Congress: Don’t Cut Food and Health Care Programs!

Food assistance and health care programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid are vital lifelines for people facing hardships–including children, veterans, seniors and adults working for low wages–and provide timely, targeted support that help our neighbors access the food and medical care we all need to thrive.  

While the cost of living continues to rise, we should be strengthening these programs–not cutting them. Urge your lawmaker to protect SNAP and Medicaid in the budget reconciliation process.

You may choose to use a form letter, which can be easier for you if you intend to mobilize many other people. Or you may choose to send a letter through the legislator’s contact page, which may be seen as more personal and may carry greater weight with them.

To submit a letter through your legislator’s contact page

Follow the steps below to identify your representative, find their contact page easily, copy and customize our suggested language, and submit.

Step #1        Identify your representative.

If you already know, skip to Step #2.
Find your legislator here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member/

Step #2        Copy the text below, then edit the letter once you have pasted it into the legislator’s contact form (Step #3) and before submitting it (Step #5). 

[To copy: Select the text below and click CNTL+C or Command + C]. Remember to replace the [bracketed] text with the correct information before clicking the submit button.

Dear [Decision Maker],

Food assistance and health care programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid are vital lifelines for people facing hardships–including children, veterans, seniors and adults working for low wages–and provide timely, targeted support that help our neighbors access the food and medical care we all need to thrive.

In 2023, more than one million people, including 1 in 7 children, experienced food insecurity across Virginia. While the cost of living continues to rise, we should be strengthening these programs–not cutting them. As your constituent, I urge you to protect SNAP and Medicaid in the budget reconciliation process:

• Reject proposals to shift a portion of program costs to states. Virginia simply does not have the resources to absorb these costs and would be forced to reduce benefits, restrict participation, or both. All families should be able to afford a nutritious diet and access medical care, no matter where they live!
• Protect future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan so SNAP can remain strong and responsive in tough economic times.
• Don’t add more burdensome red tape like extra work requirements–most SNAP and Medicaid benefit recipients that can work, do!

Please, don’t take grocery and health care benefits away from our neighbors.

Sincerely,
[FOOD BANK / PANTRY LEADER or Community Member]
[POSITION OR TITLE IF APPLICABLE]
[ORGANIZATION NAME IF APPLICABLE]

Step #3        Select your legislator (click the button to visit their contact page):

U.S. House Members

U.S. Senate Members

Step #4        Paste your letter into the message box of the contact form.

(Here’s a proposed Subject Line: [Protect SNAP and Medicaid Programs!])

Step #5 Edit the letter. Replace the [bracketed] text with your information before clicking the submit button.

Step #6        Click the submit button on the form to send the letter to your representative.

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You can use Feeding America’s form letter by clicking the orange button below