February 25, 2026 To: Rep. Ben Keathley, Chairman, and Members, House Committee on General Laws From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: Our opposition to HB 1974 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...Lee mas

February 25, 2026To: Representative Keathley and Members of the House General Laws CommitteeFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager at Empower MissouriRe:   HB 2481 and HB 2468 Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Christine Woody and I am with Empower Missouri. Empower Missouri is the state’s largest anti-poverty advocacy...Lee mas

February 18, 2026 To: Representative Stinnett, and Members, House Health and Mental Health Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2355 Empower Missouri is the state’s largest anti-poverty advocacy organization, working across rural and urban communities to advance policies that promote economic stability, affordability, and opportunity for Missouri...Lee mas

February 11, 2026 To: Senator Brown and Members, Senate Economic Workforce and Development Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 1239 Empower Missouri is the state’s largest anti-poverty advocacy organization, working across rural and urban communities to advance policies that promote economic stability, affordability, and opportunity for Missouri...Lee mas

Date: April 23, 2025To: Senator Jill Carter and Members of the Senate Families Seniors and Health CommitteeFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our opposition to SB 662 My name is Christine Woody. I am the Food Security Policy Manager for a statewide non-profit organization called Empower Missouri. We lead a statewide coalition...Lee mas

Date: March 4, 2025To: Rep. Ben Baker, Chairman, and Members, Committee on Government EfficiencyFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our Opposition to HB 315 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 called...Lee mas

My name is Christine Woody. I am the Food Security Policy Manager for a statewide non-profit organization called Empower Missouri. We lead a statewide coalition working to end hunger in our state. Thank you for hearing my testimony today. HB 1222 which asks Missouri to submit a waiver to USDA to allow The Department of...Lee mas

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...Lee mas

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...Lee mas