What would our community look like if everyone who was eligible voted? That’s what we at the Alameda County Community Food Bank have been wondering lately. But we’re doing more than just wonder – we’re mobilizing volunteers to get out the vote!
In 2008, 61% of eligible Americans voted – just 41% if they were low-income. If we want to end hunger and poverty in America, we will need their voices, their wisdom, and their votes more than ever.
It takes just one person to inspire another to register and vote. Our volunteers have been out at the food pantries and soup kitchens in Berkeley, Oakland, Hayward, Livermore, Union City, and Emeryville since mid-August, and will be there until the final day of registration, Oct. 22.
Halfway through our campaign, our volunteers and staff have registered 129 people to vote!
One of our staff, Hue, was helping a senior apply for CalFresh benefits, and asked the woman if was registered to vote. Though she has been a citizen for 25 years, she had never registered – she didn’t have anyone to help her fill out the form. Because Hue asked, this Nov. 6 will be the first time she votes.
But our work doesn’t end there.
Educating voters and holding our elected officials accountable are the next steps.
That’s why we’re hosting a Candidates’ Forum on Hunger and Poverty at the Food Bank on Oct. 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. Check out the lineup here, and stop by if you can.
What can you do to help out? Register! If you’ve moved or changed your name lately: re-register! And if you’re all set, find someone you know who may need you to be that one person to encourage them to register and vote.
You’re online, and the form is, too. Click here to get started.
