A Week of Activism in the Capitol

In 2017, Empower Missouri’s annual conference theme was Persisting and Organizing to Win. During the week of February 10, 2020, coalitions staffed by Empower Missouri…

America’s Mayors Oppose Proposed Changes to SNAP

Just one month remains until the deadline to submit comments opposing the Trump administration’s proposed rule change that would eliminate SNAP benefits for approximately 3.1…

As Missouri COVID-19 Cases Continue To Rise, Federal Leaders Need To Step Up To Protect Communities

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO)…On September 15th, Empower Missouri and the Coalition on Human Needs released a new report showing Missouri is losing ground against the coronavirus.…

Can Moleg do that?!

If you read the Empowering You! newsletter that we released on 01/31, you had a chance to meet the dynamic four interns who are working with us…

Capitol Recap: We Still Have A Chance To Pass Priority Legislation in 2021

The legislature is taking their annual Spring Break this week, which is widely considered to be “halftime” of the legislative session. We’ve spent the last…

Congress Has The Opportunity to Deliver Progress on Child Nutrition Programs

Every five years, Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) provides Congress with an opportunity to improve and strengthen the child nutrition and school meal programs. The last…

Court Rules in Favor of Hungry and Unemployed Americans; U.S. Congress Should Do the Same with COVID-19 Relief

Just recently, a federal judge formally struck down the Trump Administration’s attempt to end food stamp benefits for nearly 700,000 unemployed people. In his ruling,…

Empower Missouri Applauds Passage of CARES Act; Urges Additional Steps to Strengthen Safety Net

(Jefferson City, MO)........Empower Missouri today applauded Congress for their passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) in a bipartisan and speedy…

Empower Missouri Holds Virtual Week of Action To Mobilize United Action On Legislative Bills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19th, 2021 (JEFFERSON CITY, MO)...Empower Missouri and its network of supporters in Missouri will be joining in a coordinated Week of…

Empower Missouri Statement on Trump Administration’s Published Rule Changes to SNAP Waiver Eligibility

Today, the Trump Administration published a final rule that would disallow hundreds of thousands of individuals from utilizing SNAP to reduce their food insecurity. The…

Empower Missouri USDA Comment – State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances

On Nov. 27th, 2019, Empower Missouri submitted a comment to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding their proposed change to how SNAP benefit allocations are…

Empowering You January 2019 Newsletter

Read and download the full Newsletter below, or choose a specific story from the list.

Empowering You September Newsletter

The September Empowering You Newsletter can be downloaded by clicking on the thumbnail below, and you can explore it's contents by clicking on any of…

Food security is at stake in 2020

Our core belief around hunger is very, very simple - you cannot have life or liberty or be allowed to pursue happiness if you are…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov 9 Conference Empowers Missourians to Address Hunger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 23, 2019Contact: Conner Kerrigan, Communications Director815-263-1261 (cell)[email protected]  (JEFFERSON CITY, MO)...On Nov. 9th, Empower Missouri will be holding their Annual Conference, entitled Building…

Forty Percent of Missourians Have Lost Income in Pandemic: U.S. Senate Must Stop Abandoning Them, Take Action NOW

On September 10, the U.S. Senate took up and failed to pass a $650 billion package of relief for our nation of 331 million people,…

Gov. Mike Parson Must Act Now to Protect the Most Vulnerable Missourians

As a statewide advocacy organization, Empower Missouri is keeping an eye on what the state is doing or not doing regarding the issues we work…

Healthy Food Financing Initiative Updates: A Pipeline to Food Equity in Rural Missouri

With the holidays quickly approaching, many turn their attention to the joys of sharing meals with those closest to them. Often, preparation for holiday meals…

How to stay politically active during #moleg interim

The Missouri General Assembly has a Legislative Session that goes from January to May. During those months, the capitol building in Jefferson City is in…

Hunger has long been a problem in America, But in 2021, We Have The Opportunity To Fix The Food Crisis

Now that the Missouri legislative session has ended (read the MO Legislative Session Wrap Up Blog HERE and join us on Friday, June 4th at…

It’s Time for Missouri to Join the Majority of Other States and End the Food Sales Tax

The pandemic and its impact on our economy hit all of us hard, and illuminated the struggles low-wage workers face in ways that we had…

Legislative Session Update

The major take-away for me from the 2019 Legislative Session is the importance of working in coalition with others for evidence-based public policies. Empower Missouri…

Let’s Band Together to Fight Hunger In Missouri

On October 16th, the world recognized World Food Day. Starting in 1945, the United Nations outlined and recognized food as not a privilege, but as…

Majority Leader McConnell’s Plan Doesn’t Meet Needs of Families in Missouri

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO)……After more than two months of delay, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Caucus have finally released their proposal for the next round…

McConnell’s HEALS Act Falls Far Short Of Relief Struggling Missourians Need

TAKE ACTION NOW After more than two months of delay, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Caucus have finally released their proposal for the next…

Missouri’s Failure to Feed Hungry Children This Summer is Inexcusable

This past spring, as the school year was winding down, nonprofits across the country began working on plans to implement their summer feeding programs for…

New Report Shows the importance of Healthy School Meals

A new report from our national partner- The Food Research and Action Center (www.frac.org) Shows School Meals Improve Food Security, Dietary Intake, and Weight Outcomes,…

Pandemic and Economic Downturn Combine To Worsen Food Insecurity; SNAP Increase Needed

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the connection between unemployment, poverty and food insecurity has been clear. One of the best indicators of food…

PRESS RELEASE – Empower Missouri Invites State and Federal Legislators, Media To Participate in Missouri SNAP Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2019Contact: Conner Kerrigan, Communications Director815-263-1261 (cell)[email protected]  (JEFFERSON CITY, MO)…On Sep. 9th, Empower Missouri, a statewide not-for-profit advocating for the well-being…

PRESS RELEASE – Food Insecurity in MO Still Above National Average; Strengthening Programs Can Boost Positive Trend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 4, 2019 Contact: Jeanette Mott Oxford314-775-3261 (cell)[email protected]  (JEFFERSON CITY, MO)….. A report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS)…

Providing Adequate Nutrition for Our Seniors Should Be Simple

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program and helps millions of people who are at risk for food insecurity every…

Say No to Changes in SNAP Eligibility

More Than 3.1 Million Could Lose SNAP If The Trump Administration Has Their Way Just months after Congress and the Administration debated and reauthorized the…

Sign on to Tell Federal Lawmakers to include Crucial Additional Aid in Next COVID-19 Package

Even though the final two weeks of the 2020 Legislative Session tempts us to focus all attention on Jefferson City just now, social justice advocates…

Small steps toward eliminating child hunger

I am happy to report that there has been some positive news about alleviating hunger in the state. On days where we all feel like…

State Lawmakers Must Immediately Begin To Work on Legislation That Will Protect Missourians

Missouri lawmakers returned to the Capitol in Jefferson City on January 6th with challenges posed by an ongoing pandemic. The Missouri legislative session began at…

The 2020 Legislative Session has begun

Each year as Legislative Session begins, there is a lot of “crystal ball gazing” in our state capital. The rumors come fast and furious, and…

The Hunger in the Heartland Report Offers an In-Depth Look at Food Insecurity in Missouri

Earlier this month, the Food Assistance and Hunger in the Heartland Report was released. This is a first of its kind-a comprehensive research study about…

The Push For Food Security Will Be More Urgent Than Ever In 2021

It’s not too long ago that we put the year 2020 behind us. It was a year full of major world-shifting events as our country…

The Restaurant Meals Program Would Make Healthy Meals Accessible to More SNAP Participants

Food Insecurity in the U.S. and Here at Home in Missouri More than 34 million people experience food insecurity in the United States. That includes…

Universal Free School Meals Have Ended – Advocacy Opportunities Continue

Just a few weeks into the new school year, many families are learning that after two years of all Missouri public school children receiving free…

We Must Protect Nutrition Provisions In The Build Back Better Act That Are Crucial In The Ongoing Fight Against Childhood Hunger and Food Insecurity

There was a slight delay in Congress’ work on the Build Back Better legislation these past couple weeks because Congress had to pass a continuing…

What is food insecurity?

What is food insecurity? Many people know that cooking a healthy meal for dinner is better than preparing one that is pre-packaged or processed. For…

What is TANF?

TANF, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, is a federal cash assistance program for low income families with children that provides for basic needs. Families…

When School Is at Home, School Meals Need to Be at Home Too!

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, lots of rule changes and new waivers have taken place within the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP,…

WIC Is a Lifeline for Families: Increasing Participation Is Vital

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is an essential resource for millions of low-income families across the United States. It is available for income-eligible pregnant…

Your Donation Matters To Help Support Our Mission To Fight For Basic Human Needs and Equal Justice For All Missourians

Empower Missouri has fought for all Missourians to have basic human needs and equal justice since 1901, and there have undoubtedly been many challenges to…