Our Campaign for a Thriving Kansas
All Kansans deserve the resources they need to support themselves and raise healthy families.
Overview
In the breadbasket of the richest country in the world, all Kansans should have access to the resources they need to support themselves and raise healthy families. This is the future we at Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice and our partners are working to build.
It is possible to ensure all Kansans thrive, yet one in six Kansans and one in four Kansas children are food insecure. By strengthening participation in anti-poverty programs, our communities, state, and country have the tools to end hunger and put more money back into Kansans' pockets.
At it's root:
Hunger is a political decision.
Institutional and structural racism shape food policy and outcomes.
Hunger is a direct result of systemic racial discrimination in virtually every aspect of American life.
Protecting
SNAP
Food Assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest nutrition assistance program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Formerly known as "food stamps", SNAP plays a critical role in helping hard-working Kansans make ends meet.
Year after year, policy makers attack SNAP food assistance. In 2015 and 2016, the Kansas Legislature passed a series of bills that deeply restricted access to SNAP, informally referred to as the "the HOPE Act" by its proponents. Between 2015 and 2020, SNAP participation has decreased by 25%. Cuts to the safety net have been directly correlated to an increased number of children coming into Kansas foster care.
200K
Kansans utilize SNAP to put food on the table.
25%
Decreased SNAP participation between 2015 and 2020.
In 2015 and 2016, the Kansas Legislature passed a series of bills that deeply restricted access to SNAP, informally referred to as "the HOPE Act" by its proponents.
Sign up for our Hunger Action Team updates to learn how you can advocate for effective policy change to fight hunger in Kansas
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Promoting
Child Nutrition
Programs
Child Nutrition Programs—including the Summer Food Service Program, school lunch and breakfast, afterschool meals—nourish kids across Kansas every day. Child Nutrition Programs are administered by the Kansas State Department of Education.
Across the state, school districts and other nonprofits—including churches, recreation departments, libraries, and more—are doing incredible work to increase access and participation in these programs.
By working with community partners, raising awareness around Child Nutrition Programs and their benefits, connecting sponsors with each other and sharing best practices, Kansas Appleseed is helping to reduce childhood hunger in Kansas.
Learn more about food access and how to support Child Nutrition Programs in your community by visiting the Kansas State Department's Child Nutrition and Wellness website.
Learn moreImpact
Kansas Summer Food Service Program sponsors have continued to break records in summer meal participation. This means more kids are receiving the nutrition they need to stay active and healthy all year long.
Innovative methods including mobile meals, enrichment activities and engaging youth in menu planning help contribute to increased particpation. During the pandemic, the Summer Food Service Program made it possible for kids to continue to receive meals despite school closures.
As members of Kansas Appleseed's Hunger Action Team, over 2,000 anti-hunger champions across Kansas have taken action and continue to fight harmful policies and structures.
Sign up for our Hunger Action Team updates to learn how you can advocate for effective policy change to fight hunger in Kansas.
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