Illinois child nutrition resolution passes state House, Senate

Food Depository advocates met with lawmakers to discuss the Child Nutrition Resolution on Lobby Day in Springfield. Here, advocates meet with State Senator Iris Martinez.

In early May, more than 300 anti-hunger advocates rallied at the Illinois State Capitol and met with more than 80 lawmakers in just three hours. They advocated for support of the 2014 Child Nutrition Resolution (HR 1047/SR 1115), which encourages increased access to summer meals for children.

The resolution suggests schools that participate in the School Breakfast Program utilize alternate delivery models which would expand availability of meals. It also encourages Summer Food Service Program sites to operate as open sites to further increase access to meals. And, the resolution urges Congress to develop a 2015 Child Nutrition Reauthorization that protects and strengthens the federal food and nutrition safety net for children.

Last week, the House and Senate approved the resolution. The House version had 24 co-sponsors and the Senate version had 22 co-sponsors. This success is a victory for the anti-hunger advocates who met with lawmakers in Springfield. Without their dedication and perseverance, the child hunger resolution would not have been adopted.

But, there is still much work to be done. In the coming months, lawmakers in Washington will begin discussing the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, which authorizes all federal child nutrition programs including school breakfast and lunch. It is critical that child nutrition programs be protected, and the Food Depository will continue to make sure lawmakers are aware of their impact.

Thank you to all of our advocates for your hard work and commitment. You are an important part of the fight against hunger.

Learn more about the Food Depository’s advocacy work, or watch a video recap of the 2014 Lobby Day in Springfield.