Feeding The Carolina’s Second Annual Advocacy Action Month
Advocacy Action Month was established in March 2024 to provide a centralized, strategic platform for our network of Food Banks and pantries. We aim to use our collective power to take action in the fight against hunger. Every March, we encourage folks to use their voices, time, and talents to spread awareness of food insecurity and how it impacts our neighbors in need.
How We Advocate
EDUCATION & AWARENESS
- Development of educational materials
- Analyzing content to convey messaging across a wide variety of audiences
- Communicating messaging across platforms: from in-person discussions with elected officials to social media and everything in between
EXPANSION OF RESEARCH
- Managing research projects
- Working with contracted or internal research departments
- Preserving and maintaining ethical standards for methods used in data collection
COALITIONS & GRASSROOT ADVOCACY
- Grassroots advocacy usually involves working alongside neighbors to take action. One example: having newsletter subscribers write their legislators on an issue.
- Leveraging the combined power of organizations to work on mutual policy priorities.
ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY
1. Working with state agencies, i.e. DSS, DHHS, Dept. Ed., etc. to communicate neighbor needs and improve processes
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
- Developing relationships with legislators to better be able to communicate on the issues that matter to you
- Writing letters to representatives
- Issuing public comments on legislation through the media
- Occasionally working alongside lobbyists
Our AAM Impact In 2024
170+ state representatives were contacted by us with educational materials
27 state representatives visited our food banks
14+ visits were made to state representatives’ offices
7 visits were made to federal representatives in D.C.
How YOU Can Advocate
1. Educate & Inform
Sign up for our newsletter to educate yourself on food insecurity in our communities then share about it on your social media platforms to inform your network!
2. Use your voice
3. get involved
Download our AAM toolkit so that you can be equipped to advocate!
Within our tookit, access your very own AAM bingo card. Here’s how it works: Download the bingo card at the link below, cross off each action you take, post to your social media story with the hashtag #AdvocacyActionMonth, and tag us. It’s that easy! Completion of the bingo card (and following the steps above) enters you for a chance to win a special gift—on us!