Feed the Children retained Merchant McIntyre Associates to help open their first-ever federal government relations office in Washington, D.C. In fact, during the early days of Feed the Children’s DC office, they shared our office space!
On behalf of Feed the Children, MM was actively engaged with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress on all relevant food security funding and legislative activity. We worked closely with USAID and the Department of Agriculture on several important funding programs and policy initiatives. Merchant McIntyre helped plan and implement Feed’s policy and funding objectives associated with its domestic feeding programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and international anti-hunger and nutrition programs.
One of the highlights of our partnership with Feed the Children was the day a senior Agriculture Committee staff member said, “You guys are the most credible anti-hunger group lobbying on Capitol Hill.”
As a result of our work together, Feed the Children secured:
- $10 million for an innovative feeding program with the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma. (Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture)
- $10 million Global Development Alliances (GDA) grant for a food security program in Malawi. (Source: USAID)
- More than $200,000 in annual reimbursements for meals provided through the Summer Food Security Program (SFSP). (Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture)
- Language in the Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation that strengthened Feed the Children’s ability to access federal dollars for domestic youth-focused nutrition programs.