Call your lawmaker

Here’s how you can raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity to federal lawmakers:

1. Dial 202-224-3121.
2. If you do not know the name of your Congress Member, say, “I’m not sure.”
3. Say, “Representative.”
4. Say your zip code.
5. Confirm the Representative.
6. When connected with the office, you can leave a message with the staffer who answers or ask to be connected to the staffer who works on SNAP.
7. Sample script: 
   “Hi, my name is [your name], and I’m a constituent from [your town].
   
   I’m calling because I care deeply about hunger and the future of farming in the Blue Ridge.
   
   With grocery prices rising and more families struggling, I urge [CONGRESSMAN’S NAME] to support a bipartisan agreement that fully funds:
   •         The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
   •         The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
   •         The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
   …in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations legislation.
   
   These programs help working families stay healthy and move toward self-sufficiency.
   
   They also strengthen our economy, support U.S. farmers and small retailers, and reduce healthcare costs.
   
   Your leadership in securing full funding will help ensure our families, our farmers, and our communities thrive.“