RESULTS Weekly Update May 19, 2026

Quote of the Week

“As Congress debates a farm bill that would cut millions in SNAP funding, I think about the students who depend on these programs. Children should spend summer enjoying friends and sunshine — not worrying about their next meal.”

– RESULTS advocate Danielle Shamel, in a May 10 letter to the editor in the Raleigh News & Observer

(Is this newsletter too long; didn’t read (TL;DR) the whole thing? Scroll to the bottom for the most important points or the “TL;DR”)

We want every advocate to write during our Amplify Every Voice campaign!

Getting published in your local media outlets is one of the best ways to keep our issues in the community conversation and to make sure Congress knows what’s important to us. That’s why we’re going to “Amplify Every Voice” through July. This media campaign is focused on empowering every RESULTS advocate to write and submit at least one media piece. We also call on you to invite at least one community partner or ally to submit a media piece as well.

But what difference does a letter to the editor make? When it comes to influencing Congress, consider the “Rule of Three.” When your letter is published, we strongly encourage you to send it to your congressional offices. If a congressional office receives 3 – 5 original letters to the editor in a week highlighting the same topic, that is a signal.  They assume for every one person who wrote in about an issue, hundreds of other constituents feel the same.

What’s more, across all political perspectives, persuasive arguments can truly change opinions. Research has shown that when 3,000 people were confronted with cogent arguments on certain subjects, 30 percent of people adjusted their opinions on those issues. Read more on our recent media blog post.

Scan your local paper for articles on local food banks, local housing crises, or global hunger. Reference these pieces and utilize them as media hooks. For example, the tragic outbreak of Ebola in Uganda and other areas is timely hook to talk about the vital role U.S. foreign aid plays to helping local communities detect, report, and contain major disease outbreaks. To start writing, use our online starter templates and other helpful hooks. Your submissions are important, as they make publication possible. Join Wednesday’s Media Office Hour, 2-3 p.m. ET for support. You can join without registering at https://results.zoom.us/j/91601524175. If you submit a letter, let RESULTS staffer Sarah Leone know. And if you get published, please report it via our form.

We’re getting media published across the country! Can we add your letter to the list?

The RESULTS National Conference: A chance to learn and connect!

One of the great features of RESULTS gatherings is the opportunity to hone skills. The RESULTS National Conference will be no different. Join us in Washington, DC, July 12-14. We’ll be offering sessions like “Building Power from Home to the Hill,” “Unlocking Your Voice for Change,” and “Passion to Persuasion: Crafting Your Ask!”

We don’t want you to miss out on joining us. Conference registration, hotel bookings, and application for our equity fund for financial support all have a hard deadline of June 12. Make all your arrangements today!

And then there’s the powerful Lobby Day to finish the experience.

• Start booking your meetings for Lobby Day on Tuesday, July 14 once you and member of your group have registered for the conference.
• Aim to book Senate meetings in the morning and House meetings in the afternoon.
• See our sample meeting request template under “Documents for conference prep” on our conference page.
• Let us know when your meetings are via our form when you’ve successfully booked them.
• Check out our Events calendar next week for lobby prep opportunities offered in webinar form.
  • Week of June 8: Focus on U.S. nutrition, housing, and tax
  • Week of June 15: Focus on global tuberculosis
  • Week of June 21: Focus on foreign aid
  • Week of July 6: Chance for last updates and questions

And join us for the June National Webinar on Saturday, June 6 at 1 p.m. ET. The webinar will focus on making the most of the conference and being part of the action even from home.

We are so excited for this event. Why are you attending? We asked RESULTS Fellow and advocate Luiggi Francalanci of Wisconsin. Hear his enthusiasm in his own words. Register today!

Don’t miss these opportunities

Speak up on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). We have a brand new blog post on the state of play with our SNAP work. Last year, SNAP received an historic cut as part of H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. Then the House recently passed a Farm Bill that doesn’t protect SNAP. Currently, states must start bearing unprecedented cost burden for SNAP, and that could spell disaster. The Senate can combat these cuts by rejecting the House version of the Farm Bill this summer. Read more about not only the threats to SNAP, but threats to the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program on our blog. Then send a message to your senators via our online alert.

Join the May 28 policy forum on the current state of global health. Join us for an informal conversation led by the RESULTS global policy team about state of play of U.S. foreign aid, and what it’s meant for countries around the world. Register today! This webinar will be held on Thursday, May 28 at 8:30 pm ET. Hope to see you there.

Plan ahead for the June 4 Power Building Gathering. Join us on June 4 at 8 p.m. ET for the next Power Building Gathering. We will focus on how meaningful relationships and conversations build long-term advocacy power. Together, we’ll explore practical tools for effective one-on-one outreach, community mapping, and meeting people where they are. Not every conversation leads to immediate action, yet every connection plants seeds for future engagement. Join us to strengthen relationships, grow community, and build lasting advocacy power together. Register now.

Bring your questions to “Researching Your Member(s) of Congress on June 11. As we anticipate our lobby push around/during the National Conference, come along to learn about invaluable tools to help you get to know your members of Congress. Regional Coordinator Allison Gallaher will lead this 90-minute session focusing on the tools and applied practice. Register today for this June 11 that begins at 8:30 pm ET. And bring your questions!

TL;DR (too long; didn’t read): Let Congress know of your community’s priorities by getting published as we continue our Amplify Every Voice media campaign. Book registration and hotel for the July National Conference by June 12. Speak up to your senators about protecting SNAP in the Farm Bill. Mark your calendar for the May 28 policy forum. Join in the next Power Building webinar on June 4. Come to the June 11 “Researching Your Member(s) of Congress” webinar.

Quick Links: Action Center, Events Calendar, National Webinar recordings