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...Read More
America is frequently touted as “the greatest nation in the world.” Anytime that I hear someone say that, I can’t help but think of this dazzling opening scene from the 2012 HBO drama “The Newsroom,” where a college student asks a prominent nightly news host (played valiantly by Jeff Daniels) to explain why we’re the...Read More
Date: January 27, 2025 To: Chairman Fitzwater and Members, Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: SB 72 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since our inception,...Read More
Date: February 12th, 2024To: Chairman Schnelting and Members, House Special Committee on Homeland SecurityFrom: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, and Mallory Rusch, Executive DirectorRE: HB 2470 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since our...Read More
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 million individuals. Over the last 2 months, more and more voices are speaking out about these harsh and unnecessary changes but the pressure needs to continue. Just this week, the...Read More
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