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

March 4, 2026 To: Senator Jill Carter, Chair and the Members of the Families, Seniors and Health Committee From: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 875 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the oldest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we organize a statewide...Lee mas

In Missouri, we are paying for the lack of access to healthy food, just not at the grocery store. We are paying for it in emergency rooms.We are paying for it in hospital stays.We are paying for it when a baby is born underweight and needs specialized care.We are paying for it when someone with...Lee mas

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

The Charles Ellwood Graduate Fellowship program, named for one of Empower Missouri’s founders and earliest Presidents, will offer 1-2 recent graduates a fully immersive, year-long, paid fellowship to gain valuable experience in policy research, community education and organizing, and advocacy communications.  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Research & Policy Support Conduct research on nonprofit organizations, legislative issues, and...Lee mas