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...Read More

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...Read More

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...Read More

Date:   February 26, 2026 To:       Chairman Mayhew and Members, Corrections and Public Institutions Committee From:   Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE:      Support HB 1616 and HB 2832  As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality...Read More

Date:    February 25, 2026 To:       Chairman Schroer and Members, Senate Judiciary Committee From:   Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri RE:      SB 1509 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missourians through...Read More

Date: February 24, 2026 To: Committee Chair Representative Gallick, and members of the House Economic Development Committee  From:  Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 1716 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state and for 125 years, we have worked diligently to create...Read More

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...Read More

Date: February 18, 2026 To: Chairman Schroer and Members, Senate Judiciary Committee From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director  Re: SB 854 and SB 1494 We are thrilled to offer testimony in support of SB 854 and SB 1494. Our nation’s criminal justice system was conceived and implemented long before the internet became an integral component of...Read More

In 1901, a group of 41 Missourians came together to form the Missouri Conference on Charities and Corrections, the organization that would eventually become Empower Missouri. The group was deeply concerned about social conditions in the state and around the country: Segregation was the law of the land. Women couldn’t vote, and many died in...Read More

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...Read More