A Guide to Calling Your Legislators
Right now Kids Cook!’s funding has been ended by the federal government. Kids Cook! has survived funding changes to our program in the past, but only with the help and support of our community. One of the best ways to make your voice heard and help out is to make phone calls to your New Mexico legislators asking them host an immediate special session to address the funding crisis to Kids Cook! and other important programs affected by the new federal budget! It only takes a few minutes, and it makes a big difference. Continue reading for a description of how to prepare and what to expect.
Before the Call
Right now, we need calls made to your state house and senate representatives. You can find your representatives here.
Take a few minutes to look up each senator before calling their office.
Take a moment to gather your thoughts, make sure you have a glass of water nearby, and that you’re sitting somewhere quiet and comfortable.
Expect to speak with a member of your senator’s staff, not your senator, and be prepared to provide your name and complete address.
During the Call
Be concise and polite. Thank the staff member for their time.
Be clear about why you are calling and the actions you want the senator to take.
Feel free to share personal perspectives on why Kids Cook! is important to you/Albuquerque.
It’s OK if you get voicemail, leave a detailed message that includes your name and address, and consider calling again on a different day if they don’t follow up with you.
Script:
“Hi, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent of [Albuquerque/Rio Rancho] and I live at [home address]. I am calling today to talk with you Kids Cook!, one of Albuquerque’s most important educational resources. The federal budget passed by Donald Trump and the Republicans has ended SNAP Education funding, which includes the funding for this incredible program.
For nearly 25 years Kids Cook! has changed the lives of tens of thousands of Albuquerque families by making food and nutrition education accessible to diverse communities. Programs like Kids Cook! provide education that helps people perform better in school, have better health outcomes, and better quality of life.
Without any changes, this program is at risk of being drastically reduced, reaching far fewer students that need the benefit of this crucial education, or even going away entirely.
Can you share with me if [senator name] is willing to push for a Special Legislative Session to use state money to save Kids Cook! and other crucial programs previously funded by SNAP Education?”
After the Call
Consider following up by posting on social media about Kids Cook! and tagging our senators.
If you left a voicemail, send a follow-up email to their office after calling, consider calling back in a few days if you don’t get any response from their office.
The more phone calls made, the more likely we are to see positive results! Ask your friends and family to join you in calling their legislators in support of Kids Cook!
If Kids Cook! impacted your life when you were in school, share your story with us.