Policy Affinity Groups
When people ask ‘why are our neighbors hungry it is because they do not access to healthy and nutritious food everyday. Food insecurity is a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life. The next question we should ask is WHY? There are many policy areas that contribute to the level of hunger in our communities such as:
Lack of political voice
Access to Quality Education
Racism
Our Criminal Justice System
Safe, Decent, and Affordable Housing
Healthcare Equity
LGBTQIA+ and Gender inequities
Access to a fair and just economy
Environmental sustainability
At the Hunger Network, we bring a faith voice to many of these issues at the Ohio Statehouse everyday. But more importantly than us providing a voice is the voice that YOU can provide!
Food Insecurity
We pray that all shall receive their daily bread. Daily bread includes all we need for daily sustenance - food, shelter, safety, family and friends, dignity and much more. However, people need food today for energy, health, and well-being to pursue an education to work, and live out their humanity. To overcome systemic and personal barriers toward stability, people need food today.
housing
Nobody should choose between rent and food. Safe, decent and affordable housing is essential in the fight against hunger. Housing costs continue to rise and wages just don’t keep up, leaving families often choosing between rent and food. Ohio should expand housing options and housing supports to make sure everyone has a roof over their head and meal on the table.
CRIMINaL JUSTICE
God’s community has no hunger and restores broken relationships. Our criminal justice system should emphasize and prioritize healing and restoration of crime victims and restoring those who commit crimes to their community. Without both parties restored, the community will remain broken and this often leads to hunger for families left behind and those who are forgotten.
IMMIGRATION
Regardless of where somebody is born, all people are entitled to their daily bread . When people are unable to achieve the basic necessities of life - food, safety, shelter, and opportunity - in their home community, there should be pathways to safely leave and re-settle in communities and countries that will allow families to have their daily bread.
LABOR AND THE ECONOMY
Nobody who works should experience hunger. Many Ohio families are working full-time jobs, or working multiple jobs and still at risk of experiencing hunger because our labor market and economy are imperfect. Strong public policies can strengthen the labor market and protect employees during economic uncertainty.
education
Hunger-free schools today lead to hunger-free communities tomorrow! Schools are essential in making sure kids are fed so they can learn and grow, students are prepared for the workforce of tomorrow, and future community leaders are prepared to address our communities most pressing needs with compassion and wisdom.
ENVIRONMENT
When we care for God’s creation, God’s creation will care for us with an abundance of food and enjoyment in life. Healthy soil, air, and water are essential for farmers and to produce our daily bread. As we confront the challenges of a changing climate, we should work to make sure the environmental harms do not fall on those who are already struggling the most.
GOOD GOVERNMENT & DEMOCRACY
Only when those who hunger can be . The best solutions to hunger in our communities will come from those who have experienced it for themselves. Through voting, fair elections, and freedom of speech will our communities hear those voices that have historically been silenced and we can find solutions.
HEALTHCARE
Food is health and healthy living requires nutritious food. Malnutrition leads to health complications and barriers toward healthy living. Nobody should have to choose between medications, doctor appointments and food on the table.
DISCRIMINATION
Hunger is a magnified in our communities because of discrimination based on race, gender, orientation, ethnicity and other factors. To honestly address hunger in an equitable fashion, we have to publicly acknowledge and address barriers created by discriminatory attitudes and behaviors. We must use an anti-racist lens to address all of these issues, otherwise we will likely contribute to further inequality in our communities.