WashingtonCAN

In 2004, after over a year of hard work we got the Washington State Legislature to pass the Act for Hungry Families!

Due to high unemployment, mobility, and rent rates, over 100,000 families go hungry each year in Washington and yet only 55-67% of eligible persons in Washington participate in the Basic Food program. Washington Community Action Network passed the Act for Hungry Families to reduce hunger by:

• Extending Basic Food eligibility to families in transition from cash assistance to work
• Reducing administrative hurdles in the application process
• Restoring Basic Food eligibility to people who have served drug felony sentences, the only class of people with former felony convictions banned from accessing the basic food program since 1986
• Expanding school lunch programs for disadvantaged children. 25,000 individuals in Washington State became newly eligible for food stamps! Because federal funds absorb 96% of the costs, Act for Hungry Families will stimulate the ailing economy by bringing millions of federal dollars into the state

Washington Community Action Network had been fighting for this bill since January 2003. The bill significantly reduces Washington’s tremendous hunger problem. It passed with overwhelming margins in both the House and Senate and was signed by the governor shortly after.

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A History of Success!

Activist and financial support from the grassroots, members like you, led to our many accomplishments.