Within the face of rising hunger throughout the state of Oregon, new legislation would prolong meals help advantages to undocumented youngsters and older adults.
Latest knowledge present one in six children in Oregon and Southwest Washington face meals insecurity, with charges rising twice as quick in rural communities.
The Meals for All Oregonians invoice is a part of a broader immigrant justice package deal, backed by a coalition of over 155 organizations.
Andrea Vanessa Castillo, coverage and advocacy supervisor for the Oregon Latino Well being Coalition, is a part of the steering committee.
“Regardless of engaged on farms that develop a lot of the nation’s meals, the Latina neighborhood members are dealing with obstacles that perpetuate these cycles of meals insecurity,” Castillo defined.
The invoice would create a brand new, state-run program just like the federal Supplemental Diet Help Program run by the U.S. Division of Human Providers.
Castillo pointed to 2023 U.S. Division of Agriculture knowledge displaying almost 1 / 4 of Latino households had at the very least one member who confronted meals insecurity. Castillo added the invoice is about stopping well being issues that include not getting access to wholesome or conventional meals.
“We wish to hold folks from attending to this house by getting access to meals that not solely make folks really feel pleasure from consuming, however that contribute to the diet in a really culturally particular approach,” Castillo emphasised.
Oregon Meals Financial institution noticed file visits final yr throughout the state, up over 30% from 2023. Solely youngsters and older adults would qualify for meals help below the brand new invoice and the coalition hopes to develop the advantages to all undocumented Oregonians sooner or later.
Cowl Picture: Advocates known as on lawmakers on the Oregon State Capitol to move Meals for All Oregonians, Senate Invoice 611, this legislative session. (Oregon Meals Financial institution)
