PRESS RELEASE: Food for All Oregonians Legislation (SB 610) Passes the Senate Committee on Human Services with Bipartisan Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2023

Contact: Morgan D. Dewey, media@foodforallor.org, (801) 712-7969

Food for All Oregonians Legislation (SB 610) Passes the Senate Committee on Human Services with Bipartisan Support

Legislation to extend food assistance to more than 62,000 Oregonians facing hunger got one step closer to becoming law — with bipartisan support.

Salem, OR — Legislation to extend food assistance to more than 62,000 Oregonians facing hunger got one step closer to becoming law, passing the Senate Committee on Human Services 4-1. With bipartisan support, the Senate Committee on Human Services voted Monday, April 3 to give a “due pass recommendation” and referred the bill to the Joint Ways and Means Committee. The Food for All Oregonians bill (SB 610) is sponsored by Senator Wlnsvey Campos, Senator James Manning and 15 additional legislators, and is backed by a growing coalition of over 100 community organizations. Senator Wlnsvey Campos shared:

“This bill is one of our most significant opportunities this session to make concrete, immediate improvements to the lives of vulnerable Oregonians...No Oregonian should go hungry, it’s as simple as that.”

Food for All Oregonians will ensure those who are currently excluded on the basis of immigration status will have access to the state-run food assistance program that will mirror federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Oregonians who will benefit from this new program include Lawful Permanent Residents, U.S. Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens, and others who arrived as immigrants or refugees. The legislation also funds community navigation, improved language access and other services to help connect families to essential food resources. Main bill sponsor Senator Wlnsvey Campos said:

“The communities that we’re talking about in this bill are people that are part of the economic engine of this country — they pay taxes, are hard-working and are looking for opportunities. I don’t talk often about the fact that my family was on SNAP benefits for awhile. I’ve gone to local food banks, and I know what it is to go through the day without proper nutrition… I know the impact that this bill will have on the lives of hardworking Oregonians, and I’m so proud to advocate for this campaign.”

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ABOUT FOOD FOR ALL OREGONIANS

Food for All Oregonians (FFAO) is a statewide campaign to ensure that every Oregonian has access to the food we need to thrive, regardless of where we were born. The campaign is co-convened by Oregon Food Bank and Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. Leadership is provided by a steering committee of seven organizations representing the affected communities and a coalition of more than 100 community-based organizations. Learn more about the campaign and legislation at FoodForAllOR.org, and follow along on social media using #FoodForAllOregonians.