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All branches of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank will be closed for winter break from Monday, December 23 through Friday, December 27, reopening on Monday, December 30. If you need food, please visit our Food Finder tool or dial 2-1-1 on your phone.
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Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Partner Advocacy Resources

The farm bill can strengthen almost every federal nutrition program that helps ease the strain and stress of hunger in communities across the country.

Press the button below to easily take action to become an advocate for the farm bill

Send an email or write a letter to elected officials
Post on social media
Sign up for Advocacy Alert Emails

Scroll down to learn more.

  • Understanding TEFAP: Learn about the crucial role The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) plays in food banking and how it connects farms to food banks, providing nutritious food to those who need it.
  • Hunger Facts: Get the latest statistics on food insecurity and the importance of strengthening programs like TEFAP and SNAP.
  • TEFAP Fact Sheet: Dive deeper into the program’s benefits, funding, and impact.
  • SNAP Fact Sheet: Understand the most effective hunger-relief program in the U.S.
  • The Food Bank’s Policy Agenda: Stay informed about the policy changes needed to address hunger effectively.
  • Why Neighbor’s Stories Matter: The importance of being guest centered.
  • Join the Movement: Sign on to our letter advocating for a stronger farm bill that addresses the root causes of hunger.

By using these resources, you’ll be equipped to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those experiencing food insecurity.

What is TEFAP | Feeding America

Hunger Facts:

  • 100% of counties and congressional districts are home to people facing hunger.
  • Hunger exists in every zip code in the U.S.
  • Food insecurity among Black or Latino individuals is higher than white individuals in more than 9 out of every 10 counties.
  • Child food insecurity rates are higher than 40% in some counties in the U.S.
  • 1 in 3 people facing hunger are unlikely to qualify for SNAP
  • People facing hunger report needing more than $20 more per week to meet their food needs
  • 8 out of 10 high food insecurity counties are in the South
  • 9 out of 10 high food insecurity counties are rural.

TEFAP FACT SHEET – https://www.brafb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Resource_TEFAP101_FAQ.pdf

SNAP FACT SHEET – https://www.brafb.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Resource_SNAP101_FAQ.pdf

Click this link to read the Food Bank’s Public Policy Priorities

Lift Up Stories from Neighbors – Neighbors facing hunger can speak directly to the impact food and nutrition programs have on communities. Invite people in your community to share their personal experiences and consider the following guidelines when collecting stories: 

  • Demonstrate the many reasons people come to seek food assistance during hard times, such as job loss, reduced work hours, family or medical emergencies, or unexpected issues with housing or transportation. 
  • Gather stories that highlight how hunger-relief programs support people in achieving their goals. 
  • Show diversity among participants, including single- and two-parent households and multigenerational households; grandparents caring for grandchildren; parents attending college; small business owners who have recently fallen on hard times; students and military families.

Ready for more?

Take a deeper dive into advocacy training
Become a Food Bank Advocate