We are proud to announce the recipients of Food Lifeline’s 2023 Legislative Awards! These awards are given to state lawmakers who have made significant contributions to food justice in Washington. Our partnership with elected officials is critical to advancing our mission of feeding people experiencing hunger today, while working to end hunger for tomorrow.
With sincere appreciation, we present the 2023 award winners.
Food Lifeline Legislative Champion Award
The Legislative Champion Award is given to legislators who:
- Take primary sponsorship of legislation that advances Food Lifeline’s legislative priority agenda and public policy priorities.
- Make special efforts to advance priority bills to passage that might have failed otherwise.
- Defend against legislation that would threaten or diminish Food Lifeline’s legislative agenda and public policy priorities.
- Secure important appropriations, revenue, or Capitol Budget funding for the work of Food Lifeline and/or its priorities.
Representative Marcus Riccelli
Prime sponsor, SHB 1878 – Providing Free School Meals for All
Senator T’wina Nobles
Prime sponsor SB 5339 – Providing Free School Meals for All
Representative Mia Gregerson
Prime sponsor, HB 1784, Hunger relief funding
Representative My-Linh Thai
Prime sponsor, HB 1477 – Making Changes to the Working Families’ Tax Credit
Representative Debra Entenman
HB 1559 – Hunger Free Campus
Representative Strom Peterson
HB 1447 – Strengthening the Ability of Assistance Programs to Meet Foundational Need of Children, Adults, and Families.
US Senator Patty Murray
South Seattle Community Food Hub Congressionally Directed Spending Award
Food Lifeline Legislative Award
The Legislative Award is given to lawmakers who:
Sponsor/Co-sponsor legislation that advances Food Lifeline’s legislative support agenda or public policy priorities AND demonstrates leadership to secure passage of said legislation.
Representative Clyde Shavers
Prime sponsor, HB 1499 – Emergency Food Assistance Program & HB 1346 – Military Family Hunger – Purple Star Award
Representative Mari Leavitt
HB 1009, Military Family Hunger – Spouse Employment
Food Lifeline Legislative Assistant Award
The Legislative Assistant Award is given to legislative staff who:
Are particularly helpful with providing information and facilitating legislative activity that advances Food Lifeline’s legislative agenda and public policy priorities, AND who help maintain effective partnerships with lawmakers.
Ms. Megan Utemei
Office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray
For leadership and stakeholder engagement related to developing opportunities for the South Seattle Community Food Hub.
