Dear Neighbor,

Washington State's hunger needs are urgent and growing.

Every morning children and families in our community wake up hungry – unsure of where their next meal will come from.  It is startling that Skagit County food banks distributed nearly 2.5 million pounds of food to hungry families and children last year.  In Whatcom County 6,000 families, many of which are employed, visit food banks each month.

Hunger is a growing problem in the 2nd Congressional District.

During the last congressional district work period, I met with organizations in Whatcom, Island, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties who work to combat the problem of hunger on a daily basis.  I delivered hot meals to homebound seniors with the Meals on Wheels program, distributed food at food banks, and met with several constituents who receive assistance from nutrition programs like food stamps.  I hosted Agriculture and Hunger roundtables to discuss how Washington state, which is rich with agriculture, can address our hunger needs while also supporting our local farmers.

We live in a country that produces more food than we can consume, and we have the resources and infrastructure to combat hunger.  The federal government has a responsibility to work with state and local hunger-relief agencies to address this problem.  As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, which has jurisdiction over most federal food and nutrition programs, I am dedicated to fighting this debilitating problem.

We cannot continue to cut the legs out from under the dinner table of those who are hungry.  I believe we can alleviate hunger and ensure that no one goes to bed hungry.

Sincerely,

Rick