Deepen Your Advocacy Skills this October

We have some upcoming opportunities this month to deepen your anti-hunger advocacy skills that you will not want to miss!

IHC Monthly Meetup on October 18

Join us for our next IHC virtual monthly meetup on Wednesday, October 18, at 10:00am. At this month’s meetup, we’ll be:

  • unveiling IHC’s 2024 legislative agenda
  • sharing advice on connecting with legislators before the session
  • learning more about the Anti-Hunger Advocacy Summit on Oct. 28

Anti-Hunger Advocacy Summit on October 28

Our friends at Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) and DMARC are teaming up to host an Anti-Hunger Advocacy Summit on Saturday, October 28 in Des Moines. More details and free registration is below! We hope to see you there!

Save the Children Action Network and DMARC believe every child deserves a strong start, and that their basic needs are met. That’s why we’re bringing advocates from across the state of Iowa for the 2023 Iowa State Advocacy Summit on Saturday, October 28, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.

What is the Advocacy Summit?
The Iowa State Advocacy Summit is an annual event that brings together advocates from across the state for a tailored experience that includes special speakers, expert panels, fun team building activities, and skills trainings. This year, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) and Des Moines Area Religious Council are teaming up to help anti-hunger and early learning advocates level-up their skills to be a strong presence in the community.

Why Advocacy?
Families across the state of Iowa are facing many challenges that prevent them from accessing the nutrition and early education experiences that kids need! Whether on the campaign trail speaking with presidential candidates, or holding elected officials accountable at the Iowa Capitol, children and families struggling everyday need your voice now more than ever!

Keynote Speaker

Erik Talkin, CEO of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

Erik Talkin is a recognized innovator and leader in America’s food bank network. His book, ‘Hunger into Health,’ with an introduction by Jeff Bridges, has been a rallying point for those who want to move from simple charity to building long-term food security. He is responsible for creating innovative national award-winning programs such as ‘Healthy School Pantry’ and ‘Kid’s Farmer’s Market’. He is a previous Board Member of the California Association of Food Banks and sat on the National Advisory Council of Feeding America.

Talkin’s book ‘Lulu and the Hunger Monster’ was written in response to the Food bank’s work with many families facing food insecurity, to help inspire kids to seek short term and long-term solutions. Two sequels to Lulu, “Jesse and the Snack Food Genie’ (looking at junk food) and ‘Frankie versus the Food Phantom’ (about the food system) have just been published. Find them at www.foodjusticebooksforkids.com.