1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I’m writing to urgently request your support in restoring full funding for the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and related food distribution programs. The recent budget cuts are already causing major disruptions in food shipments to local pantries, leaving low-income families, seniors, children, and people with disabilities at serious risk of hunger and illness. Key concerns: • Food shipments from the USDA are being delayed or canceled, leaving pantry shelves empty and people without vital food support. • Local food banks and pantries are overwhelmed, some forced to reduce services or close entirely. • Seniors and disabled individuals are losing access to the USDA’s specialized commodity food boxes. • These programs are critical to public health, food security, and economic stability in both rural and urban communities. The USDA’s role extends beyond food provision — it funds the entire infrastructure that makes large-scale food assistance possible. Cutting this support chokes off one of the country’s most essential lifelines. I strongly urge you to: • Restore full federal funding to TEFAP and USDA food distribution programs immediately. • Publicly commit to protecting food assistance for all vulnerable populations. • Support long-term legislation that defends access to nutritious food as a basic right. These programs are essential for fighting hunger, protecting health, and upholding dignity for millions of Americans.