Houston Food Bank recently hosted the session “Civic Voices, Nourishing Communities” at the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, a gathering focused on policy solutions to end hunger across the country.
The session explored how civic engagement can strengthen food security and support more effective anti-hunger policy. Alongside Neighbor Advisory Committee member Marcus Colbert, Houston Food Bank’s Government Relations team joined advocates from across the country to discuss how neighbor participation helps shape stronger communities.
Houston Food Bank shared how civic engagement can be integrated across programs and partner sites through voter registration, civic education, and nutrition outreach. By integrating these opportunities into trusted community spaces, organizations can better meet people where they are and create accessible pathways for participation.
The Neighbor Advisory Committee also played a central role in the conversation, highlighting how lived experience helps guide programs and strengthens the connection between civic engagement and food access.
Participants also discussed how this civic engagement model can be shared and adapted across other food banks and pantries to broaden its impact.
Marcus Colbert shared his lived experience and reflected on how access to civic engagement opportunities helped him become more involved in shaping change within his community.
Houston Food Bank continues working to advance solutions that not only address immediate hunger needs but also empower neighbors to participate in shaping the systems that impact their lives.
