The Senate passed their version of the Farm Bill on Friday, December 14. The Nutrition Title of the bill includes an increase in funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). However, the struggle to finalize the bill continues. The House and Senate will now convene a conference committee to negotiate a final bill, which will then be sent to the President. If negotiations go well, we will see a funding increase for TEFAP in the final version of the Farm Bill.

Inadequate funding for TEFAP has created a shortfall of 33 million pounds in available food to Oklahoma's charitable community over the last five years. The shortfall in the current fiscal year is expected to be 10 million pounds - that's enough food for over 7.8 million meals.

With half a million Oklahomans hungry or at risk of hunger each year, it is imperative for you to voice your support for combating hunger in Oklahoma to your elected officials. Your elected officials look to you for guidance on what is important to your community. Your individual support can make a difference for millions of hungry Oklahomans.

You can help make sure that the funding increase for TEFAP is included in the final Farm Bill - Click on this link www.hungeractioncenter.org and Take Action Today!

Together, we can make a difference and let the world know that "Hunger is Not OK".