MidShore Meals til Monday attends Anti-Hunger Policy Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, sponsored by the Food Research & Action Center, was held June 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The conference provides the opportunity to network, participate in interactive training and informative sessions, as well as a day on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staffers.

MidShore Meals til Monday, a community-based backpack program in Dorchester County, was in attendance and represented by executive director Pamela Allen. Allen and over a thousand other anti-hunger advocates were there to gain knowledge and strategies to support their communities and fight against food insecurity.

Several Maryland organizations came together and as a delegation visited each of the congressional members offices’ representing Maryland. Law H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024, extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which is more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, and allows authorized programs to continue through Sept. 30.

The Farm Bill is currently under review and the Maryland delegation expressed its priority of protecting and strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) within the Farm Bill. Other priorities discussed included adequately funding nutrition programs through FY 2025 Appropriations process (WIC, Summer EBT, The Emergency Food Assistance Program), and expanding free school meals nationally.

“MidShore Meals til Monday will continue to advocate for anti-hunger and work to end childhood hunger by supporting our neighbors in need in Dorchester County and beyond,” a statement from the group said.