Update: In the Governor’s press release about the waiver submission he mentioned welcoming stakeholder input into the process and plan as it moves forward.  In light of that, the Department of Social Services has opened a 30 day public comment period in which they are accepting comments on the waiver submitted via this email address:...Read More

On July 31, 2025, more than 30 cross-sector partners gathered in Columbia, Missouri, meeting inside the incredible new Food Bank Market at The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri. Convened as the Missouri Rural Food Access Partnership, our charge was clear: to understand how the newly-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is reshaping...Read More

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, is under threat of significant cuts by the federal government. Right now, the House Appropriations Committee has advanced a budget proposal that follows the Trump administration’s plan to slash WIC benefits. Specifically, it would cut the fruit and vegetable portion of WIC...Read More

On Thursday, July 3rd, the House of Representatives passed the reconciliation bill with a 218-214 vote. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law tomorrow, July 4th. Empower Missouri condemns the passage of this bill, which will threaten healthcare coverage and food assistance for thousands of Missourians, all while providing huge tax...Read More

PURPOSE Empower Missouri is seeking a Food Security Intern or Practicum Student to support our advocacy work aimed at increasing food security for Missourians. Interns and practicum students will contribute to policy research, testimony development, coalition-building, data analysis, and public education efforts. This is a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in public policy, community engagement,...Read More

Tonight, I’m catching a flight to Washington, D.C. to meet with staffers of Missouri’s congressional delegation and express Missourians’ opposition to the $300 billion in proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Congress’s “one big, beautiful bill.” Empower Missouri’s focus has traditionally been on state-level policy, but the proposed cuts to Medicaid...Read More

The 2025 Missouri legislative session ended last week with some controversy and tension as the Senate invoked Previous Question, or “PQ”, to cut off debate. The Senate employed this “nuclear option” to force a vote on two bills that were in direct contradiction to laws passed by the majority of Missouri voters in the November...Read More