John,

As a result of man-made climate change, we should expect to see more frequent, and stronger, natural disasters impacting communities including hurricanes and tropical storms, tornadoes, and wildfires.

Congress has returned to Washington this week. And with communities still reeling from wildfires and Hurricanes Helene and Milton, we need Congress to act now to pass a comprehensive disaster relief package.

In addition to funding for food banks via supplemental TEFAP funds, Congress must include $30 million for WIC nutrition assistance along with flexibilities to allow participants to be certified by phone or video appointment. Congress should permanently authorize the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) to provide grants that help rebuild affordable housing and critical infrastructure to ensure an efficient and equitable recovery process so that our most vulnerable communities aren’t left out.

Send a direct message to Congress urging them to pass a comprehensive disaster relief bill that won’t leave vulnerable communities behind.

Thank you for all you do,

Meredith Dodson
Senior Director of Public Policy, CHN Action

-- DEBORAH'S EMAIL --

John,

Communities are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton along with wildfires and other natural disasters. We need comprehensive disaster relief and we need it immediately.

It will take months for many communities to recover with some still in need of water, housing, and food assistance. Congressional leaders have said they intend to pass disaster legislation in the coming weeks, and they must ensure that people with the most urgent needs get timely help.

Now that Congress is back in session, they need to act. Send a message to your members of Congress urging them to pass comprehensive disaster relief now.

Helping communities recover from disasters is a critical role of the federal government.

In addition to the need to increase funds for FEMA, many food banks are struggling to meet the surging needs while some of their facilities were destroyed during recent disasters. We join others in calling for Congress to provide an additional $245 million in supplemental Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) foods to meet both the immediate and long-term needs in areas impacted by natural disasters. This funding will help ensure that local emergency feeding organizations can supply food without disruption.¹

TEFAP funding is just one of the critical programs that must be included in any disaster relief legislation. We know many families struggle with the costs of putting food on the table, and we need policymakers to make sure nutrition programs are a priority as communities recover. In addition, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) needs $30 million to respond to emergency needs.  

It is also essential that Congress responds to urgent disaster housing needs by permanently authorizing the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program to provide grants that help rebuild affordable housing and critical infrastructure, with special focus on low-income communities.

Send a message to Congress urging them to include essential nutrition and housing programs in disaster relief legislation now.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, CHN Action

¹ Guide to Federal Nutrition Programs During Disasters