By Mattie Powers, KLBK News
Watch News Story: https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/two-non-profits-in-lubbock-return-from-washington-dc-after-advocating-for-numerous-policies/
A couple of weeks ago, two of Lubbock’s biggest non-profits, South Plains Food Bank and Lubbock Area United Way, went to Washington DC to speak with numerous legislative leaders about policies around the state and in Lubbock.
Some of the leaders they met with included senator Ted Cruz, representative Jodey Arrington and senator John Cornyn; and Lubbock Area United Way CEO, Amanda McAfee explained why meeting lawmakers was vital for their mission.
“We really try to work in a very bipartisan way in the way that we approach policy and really looking at what is smart public policy that is really going to benefit households and communities,” McAfee said.
The non-profits covered a slew of policies including childcare, SNAP and the proposed Help Act.
“The help act is about 211, which is the three-digit FCCC code that you can call if you are needing some sort of support and help. Um so you’re needing rental assistance, or you don’t know where that affordable childcare place is. Um those sorts of things that you can call 211,” McAfee said.
McAfee also explained how progress was being made on childcare policies.
“We worked with Speaker Burrows and Representative Tepper and Senator Perry to get an additional $100 million a year added to childcare subsidies. That’s going to mean 10 thousand more families in Texas are moved off the waiting list. That’s at about 90 thousand kids right now,” McAfee said.
Another issue covered in this trip regarded the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which was extremely important to South Plains Food Bank CEO, Dina Jeffries.
“It’s now going to rely on state funds that are really going to have to help make ends meet, and if it can’t be met at the state level, then it falls on the local level, the food banks, and we’re already stressed and with more people in our line than ever before,” Jeffries said.
