Alameda County Community Food Bank

Hunger Action Day

Every May, anti-hunger advocates from across the state travel to Sacramento to urge lawmakers to support legislation that will improve access to safe and nutritious food for all low-income Californians.

This year, Hunger Action Day is on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Hunger Action Day provides an opportunity for hundreds of advocates to speak to lawmakers about legislation that will help low-income Californians feed their families. For more information about participating in Hunger Action Day, please contact Betsy Edwards at (510) 635-3663, ext. 307 or by email.

Participant Testimony

My name is Edlyn Countee. I am a longtime volunteer with the Alameda County Community Food Bank and a founding member of the Community Advocates Against Hunger group.

I am proud to say that this year I attended my ninth consecutive Hunger Action Day in Sacramento. It was quite exciting and fulfilling to have two busses make the trip to Sacramento this year! Of course, to realize this dream it took a lot of preparation and recruiting, which we were happy to do. The hard work all paid off when we arrived in Sacramento to meet with our local legislators. Teams were organized and we met at our appointed times with either the legislator themselves, or their representative. It is the most important part of the day when we sit down and explain our position on anti-hunger legislation to them, and they actually listen and ask questions. In addition, there are rallies and meetings to get the participants energized and prepared for the day - and Hunger Fighter Awards are presented.

Hunger Action Day is truly a fulfilling day; when we get back on the bus at the end of the day we have a feeling that what we have done will make it better for all Californians who experience food insecurities. (And we are already in preparation for next year’s event!)

To schedule a meeting with your legislator in his or her local office to introduce yourself and talk about hunger in our community, contact Betsy Edwards at 510-635-3663 ext. 307 or byemail.

Click here to see a slide show of last year trip to Sacramento. Then choose "Open."

For more information about 2007 Hunger Action Day visit www.hungeraction.net or www.cfpa.net.