As our population ages, one issue that increasingly demands attention is food insecurity. Lacking consistent access to enough nutritious food for an active, healthy life, food insecurity can have serious consequences for physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life, especially for us as we age.   The Scope of the Problem According to the...Read More

Missouri’s aging population is expected to rise very quickly over the next decade, mirroring a historic demographic shift occurring across the United States. Currently, one in four Missourians is 60 years of age or older. This trend is projected to continue, with the number of Missourians aged 60 and above soon equaling the number of...Read More

Date: March 25, 2024To: Senator Brown, Chairman and Members, Senate Economic Development and Tax Policy CommitteeFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our support for SB 1062 Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we organize a statewide Food Security Coalition. This coalition is made...Read More

Date: March 27, 2024To: Representative Brad Hudson, Chairman & Committee Members House Economic Development CommitteeFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our support for HB 2438 and HB 2730 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we organize a...Read More

Date: March 4, 2024To: Lauren Arthur, Chair, and Members of the Senate Progress and Development CommitteeFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our support for SB 973 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we organize a statewide coalition...Read More

Date: March 4, 2024 To: Rep. Doug Richey, Chariman, and Members, Special Committee on Government AccountabilityFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our opposition to HB 1560 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we organize a statewide...Read More

Date: February 20th, 2024To: Chairman Thompson and The House Special Committee on Public PolicyFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Support for HB 1730 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. As part of...Read More

For kids in Missouri who receive a free or reduced price school meal, the summer can be one of the hungriest times of the year. During the summer months, these children do not have access to this free, healthy, and well-balanced meal each and every day. Instead, the families that rely on those meals, that...Read More

At Empower Missouri, our goal is to empower Missourians to end poverty and make our state a better and more equitable place to be. We strive to include people from communities across the state in everything we do; their voices are at the heart of our work. For the food security coalition specifically, that means...Read More

As advocates in Missouri much of our time is spent working the halls of Jefferson City, especially from January-May. Many of us use summer as a time to relax and take a breath. This summer, though, has not been a time of relaxation. Our work has merely shifted from Jefferson City to Washington DC.  This...Read More