Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day Recap

A good time was had by all! Highlights below.

• Nearly 100 hunger advocates from across the state gathered at the State Capitol for the very first Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day at the Capitol on March 13, 2023

• Rep. Justin Wilmeth (R), from LD02, Rep. Tim Dunn (R) from LD25 (Yuma) and Rep Jennifer Longdon (D) from LD05 were featured legislative speakers, along with Tom Kertis of St. Mary’s Food Bank and David Sheppard, who shared his personal story of overcoming hunger.

• Participants met with their legislators in support of anti-hunger bills HB2211 and HB2142

• Advocates were introduced in the House gallery by Rep. Justin Wilmeth (R), LD02 and in the Senate.

• Boxed lunches were provided by the St. Mary’s Food Bank Community Kitchen.

Pictorial recap of Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day

Nearly 100 hunger advocates and legislators from across the state gathered at the Capitol for the first Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance Advocacy Day on Monday, March 13.

Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance founding organizations.

Founding partners of the Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance (L to R): Jessie Gruner, Pinnacle Prevention; Ashley St. Thomas, Arizona Food Bank Network; Laney Meeker, Arizona Food Bank Network; Ellie Hutchison, Arizona Faith Network; Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood, Arizona Faith Network; Solveig Muus, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA); Lupe Conchas, Bread for the World. Missing: Tamera Zivic, WHEAT.

Rep. Laura Terech (D) LD04, flanked by friends from the Hunger Action Ministry at the Franciscan Renewal Center.

An engaged group of anti-hunger advocates.

A table of Lutheran hunger advocates includes Allen Gjersvig, Love of Christ Mesa; Pr. Sarah Stadler, Esperanza Ahwatukee; Kathy Elsaesser, Esperanza Ahwatukee; Robert Elsaesser, Esperanza Ahwatukee; and Melissa Riner, Love of Christ Mesa.

Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood, Arizona Faith Network (AFN), acted as emcee.

Solveig Muus, LAMA director, with Rep. Jennifer Longdon (D), LD05, whose early support helped get the organization that became AzAHA out of the gate.

Rep. Justin Wilmeth (R) LD02, is lead sponsor of HB2211, a SNAP Drug Felon Application Modernization bill for recidivism reduction.

Rep. Lorena Austin (D) LD09, meets with constituents from Feed Arizona Students and Lupe Conchas, Bread for the World.

David Sheppard shares a moving personal story of hunger and how he came to work with others experiencing hunger.

The assembly, including Rep. Keith Seaman (D) LD16, Rep. Cesar Aguilar (D) LD26 and Sen. Brian Fernandez (D) LD23, hears a moving story of lived experience by David Morris.

Left to right: Lupe Conchas, Bread for the World; Rep. Stacey Travers (D), LD12; Sen. Brian Fernandez (D) LD23; Rep. Mariana Sandoval (D) LD23; Vic Peterson, Christ Evangelical Lutheran, Goodyear; Rep. Nancy Gutierrez (D) LD18.

Rep. Tim Dunn (R) LD25, is primary sponsor of HB2142, the produce incentive program bill known as Double Up Food Buck Arizona.

Melanie Hobden, Desert Cross Lutheran Tempe and LAMA Policy Council, draws on Micah 6:8 for her signs.

Tom Kertis, CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank, addresses the crowd.

Rep. Patricia Contreras (D) LD12, right, speaks with Kathy and Robert Elsaesser, Esperanza Lutheran, Ahwatukee.

Gail Turner, Faith Lutheran, Phoenix and Pr. Sarah Stadler, Esperanza Lutheran, Ahwatukee, catch up.

AzAHA founding partners (L to R) Lupe Conchas, Bread for the World, and Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood and Ellie Hutchison from Arizona Faith Network (AFN).

Following the event, hunger advocates head to the House gallery for an introduction from the floor by Rep. Justin Wilmeth.

Hunger advocates from the Arizona Anti-Hunger Alliance stand as they are introduced in the House gallery.

Waiting in the Senate gallery for the session to begin.