Avelar Receives Hunger Action Leader Award for Food Advocacy in Illinois

ROMEOVILLE, Ill.- To honor her achievements and advocacy in addressing the growing hunger crisis in Illinois, state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Romeoville, was presented the Hunger Action Leader Award by the Greater Chicago Food Depository on Sept. 29th alongside other leaders, individuals and organizations. 

Thousands of families in Illinois have lost stable access to adequate nutrition due to federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” There has been a 24% decline in Illinoisans enrolled in SNAP and studies show that 1 in 3 households in Illinois do not have consistent access to food. 

To combat the challenges brought on by the federal government, Avelar championed the FRESH Program, which created a $400 one-time relief assistance payment for eligible Illinoisans who lost SNAP benefits due to the new federal work requirements. 

“Behind every statistic you read in the news is a family just trying to get by,” said Avelar. “When the federal government’s eligibility changes take SNAP away from families, their need for food doesn’t disappear. Their hardship becomes greater. FRESH gives Illinois an emergency tool in our toolbox to help people through this moment, but we can’t stop there. We know this ongoing assault to our safety net is not going to stop, and we have to do everything in our power to protect people’s access to food.”

For more information on the FRESH Program or any questions, please reach out to Avelar’s district office at info@repdagmara.org.