Food Bank Co-Hosts Hampden County Legislative Forum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 15, 2024
FBWMA Media Contact: Deb Ondo, Communications and Engagement Manager. debo@foodbankwma.org Phone: 413-419-0170
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Co-Hosts Hampden County “Meet the Candidates” Legislative Forum
Click here to register
Hampden County, MA - Partner organizations, including the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Springfield Food Policy Council, and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) will co-host a Hampden County Legislative Forum on Wednesday, August 21, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the UMass Center, located at 1500 Main Street in Springfield, MA.
The event is designed to help residents from Hampden County cities and towns better understand local political races. The forum will provide an opportunity for voters to learn about the candidates’ stances on food insecurity and the underlying causes of hunger, such as transportation, health equity, climate change, and more.
The event will feature candidates from two important races:
Candidates for the 11th Hampden House seat include:
- Johnnie McKnight
- Representative Bud Williams
Candidates for the Hampden Senate seat include:
- Malo Brown
- Senator Adam Gomez
“This forum will give Hampden County voters the opportunity to see what ideas the candidates have and what their plans are for improving access to food, transportation, and jobs,” said Laura Sylvester, Public Policy Manager at the Food Bank.
Springfield Food Policy Council director, Liz O’Gilvie, understands that the impacts of the State Legislature can be particularly hard to see, saying, “With local elections, it’s not always easy to understand what the candidates stand for or why they’re running for office.”
Philip Korman, Executive Director of CISA, wants to help Hampden County based farmers, adding, “We want to help people be able to make informed decisions when they step into the voting booth or fill out their mail-in ballot.”
Attendees are encouraged to register in advance.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, August 21
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: UMass Center, 1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA
Registration: Click here to register.
For more information about the event and to register, please visit foodbankwma.org.
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About the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts: Since 1982, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been a community partner to end hunger. We provide healthy and culturally responsive food directly through our own Mobile Food Bank and Brown Bag food distribution sites, and through the food assistance network in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. This network is comprised of 186 independent food pantries, meal sites and shelters that are on the front lines providing food and resources to individuals, families, seniors, children, veterans, and people with disabilities, so they may lead healthy and meaningful lives. The Food Bank partners on public education and advocacy to address systemic barriers that cause hunger. We believe everyone has a right to healthy food.