With early voting now available, it’s important to vote to ensure your voice is heard on matters affecting our communities. Southeast Kansas consistently ranks low in voter turnout, but ranks highest in the state for food insecurity and poverty rates.
Civic engagement plays a crucial role in creating healthier communities. When individuals are engaged in their communities, they are more likely to be aware of issues, like access to food, that affect them and their neighbors. This awareness can increase advocacy for policies that can help address the challenges of hunger and food insecurity.
As a lifelong southeast Kansas resident, I have seen the effects of food insecurity both personally and in my community. Food prices continue to rise, and families are struggling to keep up. When a person doesn’t know where their next meal comes from, the last thing on their mind is getting out to vote.
This year, many school board seats are up for grabs. The school board is responsible for setting policies and overseeing the school district’s operations. Board members can help determine the meal debt policy and decide whether to subsidize reduced-price meals in the local school district.
Reach out to your local candidates and ask what their plan is to decrease hunger and food insecurity in our communities. Ask them how they will prioritize policies that increase access to healthy and affordable food. Use your voice to improve the health and well-being of Southeast Kansas.
Make a plan to get to the polls. Voting is your best chance to use your voice to demand change. Transportation is a challenge, especially for rural areas, so research your voting location. If you cannot drive yourself, reach out to friends and family for a ride. Encourage everyone you know to find a way to get to the polls and speak up about the issues affecting our communities.
As early voting begins, I urge you to take this opportunity to make your voice heard. By prioritizing issues of food insecurity and poverty in southeast Kansas today, we can begin to build a better, safer, healthier tomorrow.
