Raise Your Voice to Help End Hunger
Advocacy is an important part of our mission to end food insecurity. Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee works with local, state and federal leaders to strengthen nutrition programs, improve access to food and ensure the voices of our Northeast Tennessee neighbors are heard.
Why Advocacy Matters
Protect Nutrition Programs
Programs like SNAP, TEFAP and child nutrition programs help our neighbors access the food they need.
Strengthen Our Communities
Public policy affects food access and the resources available to families and food banks across Northeast Tennessee.
Address the Root Causes of Hunger
Ending food insecurity requires both immediate food assistance and long-term solutions that help families build stability.
Happening Now
SNAP Changes Could Impact Tennessee Families
Recent federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could have significant impacts on Tennessee families, the state budget and hunger-relief organizations. Learn more about how these changes may affect our communities and why protecting access to SNAP matters.
Our Advocacy Priorities
Second Harvest advocates for policies that strengthen federal nutrition programs, improve access to food and support our neighbors experiencing food insecurity throughout Northeast Tennessee.
Federal Priorities
- Protect and strengthen SNAP
- Support funding for TEFAP
- Strengthen federal nutrition programs
- Support policies that help reduce food insecurity
Tennessee Priorities
- Protect access to SNAP
- Support effective SNAP administration
- Reduce barriers that make it harder for families to access nutrition assistance
- Support policies that strengthen food access across Tennessee
Take Action
Contact Your Representatives
Your voice matters. Contact your elected officials and let them know why protecting access to food and nutrition programs is important to communities across Northeast Tennessee.
Advocate on
Current Issues
Speak up on current issues affecting hunger and food access. Feeding America makes it easy to contact lawmakers and advocate for policies that help our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
Advocacy Resources
Understanding the policies that affect food access can help you become a stronger advocate. Explore these resources to learn more about key programs and current issues.
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps eligible individuals and families afford groceries. Learn more about SNAP, current policy changes and what they could mean for Tennessee.
The Farm Bill
The Farm Bill is a comprehensive federal law that helps shape nutrition assistance and hunger-relief programs across the country. Learn more about the Farm Bill and the programs that help support families and food banks.
TEFAP
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides nutritious USDA foods to food banks and other hunger-relief organizations. Learn how this federal program helps Second Harvest provide food to neighbors across Northeast Tennessee.