Food banks play a crucial role in advocacy, employing a variety of strategies to combat hunger. A key aspect of their advocacy efforts involves maintaining regular communication with members of Congress and state governments, focusing on anti-hunger legislation. Additionally, they actively engage with the media and partner organizations to address policy issues related to hunger and food security.

The Food Bank News Advocacy Honor Roll takes a focused approach in its assessment, concentrating specifically on the advocacy actions visible on food banks’ websites. A major point of interest is the emphasis on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), recognized as the most effective tool in the United States for fighting hunger. The evaluation extends beyond just policy initiatives to include how SNAP is presented as a viable option for those seeking food assistance on these websites.

The rationale behind this emphasis is clear: promoting and sustaining SNAP is greatly enhanced by increasing its usage. By encouraging more people to utilize SNAP, food banks not only assist individuals in need but also reinforce the program’s critical role in the broader fight against hunger. This strategy reflects a comprehensive approach to advocacy, where food banks use their platforms not only to influence policy but also to directly connect people with essential resources.

In the realm of food bank advocacy, the creation of a dedicated page or section on their websites plays a pivotal role. This space is essential for highlighting the importance of advocacy in the fight against hunger and encourages visitors to use their voices in support of relevant policies. Our evaluation of these advocacy web pages focuses on two key elements. Firstly, we look for a clear call to action, which could be an invitation to learn more, subscribe to a newsletter, or participate in an activity. Secondly, we assess the presence of detailed information on specific policy initiatives that the food bank supports.

A comprehensive analysis of the top 100 food bank websites, based on revenue as outlined in our 2022 report of the Top 300 Food Banks, revealed significant findings. Among these food banks, 42 were identified as actively engaging in all four critical areas of website advocacy, earning them a spot on our “High Honor Roll.” Furthermore, an additional 17 food banks demonstrated activity in three out of the four areas, qualifying them for the “Honor Roll” distinction. It’s important to note that this analysis exclusively covers the website advocacy activities of these food banks, offering a snapshot of their online engagement in the broader mission against hunger.

In a recent analysis of the top 100 food bank websites, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) outreach was identified as the most prevalent form of advocacy, with 77 food banks featuring SNAP information prominently on their sites. The effectiveness of this outreach hinges on the accessibility of SNAP information, which ideally should be available within one or two clicks.

An emerging trend among these food banks is the incorporation of contact forms on their websites, enabling potential SNAP beneficiaries to seek assistance with their application processes. Notably, organizations like Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, Feeding Northeast Florida, and Feeding Tampa Bay have integrated mRelief’s three-minute eligibility questionnaire directly into their websites. This tool streamlines the process of determining eligibility for SNAP benefits. According to mRelief, this approach has facilitated access to $1.2 billion in SNAP benefits by simplifying the application process.

Other innovative SNAP outreach initiatives include Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin’s use of mini photos to introduce each member of its outreach team. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida provides instructional videos on how to apply for SNAP. Meanwhile, the Greater Chicago Food Depository offers insights into the lesser-known non-grocery benefits of SNAP. These benefits extend to restaurant meals (in Illinois), low-cost internet services, and museum entries, highlighting the multifaceted advantages of the SNAP program. These varied approaches reflect the food banks’ commitment to not only providing food assistance but also ensuring broader access to essential services and benefits through SNAP.

In 2022, out of the top 100 food banks, 65 have dedicated advocacy pages on their websites, highlighting a growing trend among these organizations to amplify the voices of individuals who have experienced hunger firsthand. A notable example is the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano in California, which effectively showcases these personal stories. Their advocacy page features videos of community members sharing their experiences, along with links to Zoom sessions from the food bank’s Speaker Series, capturing the passion and commitment of those involved.

Tarrant Area Food Bank in Texas is another standout, with a comprehensive suite of well-crafted advocacy pages consolidated under a single advocacy tab on their website. This approach underscores their commitment to a unified and accessible advocacy platform.

Several food banks are innovating their advocacy pages to directly engage with community members affected by hunger. Oregon Food Bank, for instance, uses a survey to gather community input on strategies to end hunger. Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin takes a different approach, promoting civic engagement through its ‘Be A Voter’ webpage, which encourages individuals to participate in the voting process.

Similarly, the Houston Food Bank offers extensive resources on voting, including information on voting locations and a link for voter registration checks. In North Carolina, Manna Food Bank has created a video, available on its website, emphasizing the importance of voting. These varied strategies reflect the food banks’ commitment to not only providing immediate food assistance but also empowering communities to actively participate in broader societal and policy changes that can address the root causes of hunger.

In the landscape of food bank advocacy, calls to action on their websites play a pivotal role. An analysis of the top 100 food banks of 2022 reveals that 60 have incorporated some form of call to action. A standout example is the River Bend Food Bank in Iowa, which offers a comprehensive advocacy toolkit. This toolkit includes a series of webinars, sample letters to editors or congresspeople, and guidance on where to send these letters. Similarly, Feeding Tampa Bay provides an extensive social media toolkit to help people share their advocacy efforts online.

However, when it comes to outlining specific policy priorities, only 49 of the top 100 food banks have done so on their advocacy pages. The Tarrant Area Food Bank, for instance, supports its broad policy objectives with detailed fact sheets, covering a range of topics from federal and state issues to farm bill concerns. Taking an uncommon approach, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank includes tax policies in its advocacy agenda, along with its federal, state, and local initiatives.

Food Lifeline distinguishes itself by not only outlining its policy stances but also by actively soliciting and displaying the views of 21 local candidates on hunger-related issues. This strategy not only highlights the issue of hunger but also provides valuable insights into the candidates’ willingness to address it. Such initiatives by food banks reflect a growing trend towards using their platforms for more comprehensive advocacy efforts, aimed at addressing the root causes of hunger and influencing policy changes.