April 29, 2026To: Senator Trent and Members of the Senate General Laws CommitteeFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager at Empower MissouriRe:   HB 2481 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 organization. I am...Lee mas

April 15th, 2026 To: Senator Carter, and Members, Families, Seniors, and Health Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2372 Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food for a healthy, active life. In Missouri, that is not a small issue. The...Lee mas

April 15th, 2026 To: Senator Carter, and Members, Families, Seniors, and Health Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2355 We often think of healthcare and the economy as separate issues, but they are deeply connected. Diet-related conditions are one of the largest drivers of healthcare spending and...Lee mas

April 8th, 2026 To: Senator Carter, and Members, Families, Seniors, and Health Committee From: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 1499 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 families....Lee mas

March 25, 2026To: Senator Trent and Members of the Senate General Laws CommitteeFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager at Empower MissouriRe:   SB 1616 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 organization. I am...Lee mas

March 23, 2026 To:  Chairman McGirl and The House Ways and Means Committee From: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: House Bill 2457 My name is Christine Woody and I am the Food Security Policy manager for Empower Missouri. We are a statewide non-profit organization that leads a statewide coalition on food...Lee mas

March 11, 2026 To:  Chairman Brown and The Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee From: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Senate Bill 1082 My name is Christine Woody and I am the Food Security Policy manager for Empower Missouri. We are a statewide non-profit organization that leads a statewide coalition on...Lee mas

March 10, 2026 To:  Chairman McGirl and The House Ways and Means Committee From: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: House Bill 2461 My name is Christine Woody and I am the Food Security Policy manager for Empower Missouri. We are a statewide non-profit organization that leads a statewide coalition on food...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