The Mississippi chapters of The Links, Incorporated; commend for its passionate advocacy to end hunger and support maternal health.

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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Johnson

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MISSISSIPPI CHAPTERS OF THE 1
LINKS, INCORPORATED, ON THEIR PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO END HUNGER, 2
IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH AND END FOOD INSECURITY BY SUPPORTING 3
ACCESS AND EQUITY FOR ALL MISSISSIPPIANS. 4
WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated, has a prestigious and 5
historic legacy of implementing programs and initiatives that 6
address the most critical needs of underserved communities 7
utilizing the organization's five programming facets – Services to 8
Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International 9
Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services - as the 10
cornerstone of its' community service; and 11
WHEREAS, the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, is 12
comprised of 83 chapters across seven states and the Commonwealth 13
of the Bahamas; and 14
WHEREAS, more than 5,000 members of the Southern Area of The 15
Links, Incorporated, hail from the deep south states of 16
Mississippi and Alabama; the French tradition and creole culture 17
of Louisiana; the coastal wonders of North and South Carolina; the 18
southern charm of Georgia; the emerald coasts and sugar beaches of 19
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sunny Florida; and the sun-drenched tropical beauty of the 20
Bahamas; and 21
WHEREAS, the Mississippi chapters of The Links, Incorporated, 22
are dedicated advocates for strengthening families and communities 23
through intentional civic engagement and impactful service, 24
especially given the fact that the Southern Area faces high rates 25
of food insecurity and maternal deaths that disproportionately 26
affect Black, rural, and low-income households throughout the 27
great State of Mississippi; and 28
WHEREAS, as evidence of its commitment to improve the quality 29
and longevity of its communities, including Mississippi, the 30
Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, has implemented the 31
Emerald Plate Initiative to enhance food access, justice, and 32
sovereignty throughout the southeastern United States; and 33
WHEREAS, because this astute group of women understand that 34
reliable, nutritious food access creates a strong foundation for 35
good health, educational attainment, economic stability and health 36
outcomes for pregnant mothers and their children; and 37
WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated, especially the Mississippi 38
chapters, support the continuation and strengthening of the 39
federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the 40
nation's most effective anti-hunger program that supports local 41
economies and substantially improves access to healthier 42
lifestyles for mothers and their children; and 43
WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated, appreciate the key 44
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contributions that all farmers make to the South's agricultural 45
heritage, but acknowledge that Black farmers remain 46
underrepresented and face systemic barriers in land retention, 47
market access, and capital; and 48
WHEREAS, in 2023, Mississippi faced one of the highest food 49
insecurity rates in the nation at 19.4%, SNAP redeemed $1.01 50
Billion in 2023, across 3,233 retailers, and in 2024, the Food 51
Research and Action Center (FRAC) estimated SNAP brought $842 52
Million; and 53
WHEREAS, due to the rising number of United States citizens 54
and Mississippians facing food insecurity, hunger and maternal 55
deaths, the Mississippi chapter of The Links, Incorporated, urges 56
the Legislature of Mississippi to: 57
(1) Strengthen SNAP access and eligibility by maintaining 58
broad-based eligibility, raising income thresholds, and reducing 59
administrative barriers; 60
(2) Invest in expanding nutrition incentive programs such as 61
Double Bucks, Fresh Access Bucks, or Healthy Bucks that boost 62
fresh produce access and support local farms; 63
(3) Accept Summer EBT funds as a means to reduce childhood 64
hunger, boost the local economy, and improve health and academic 65
outcomes; 66
(4) Support Black farmers by expanding equitable access to 67
land, credit, procurement opportunities, and heirs' property 68
resolution support; 69
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ST: The Mississippi chapters of The Links,
Incorporated; commend for its passionate
advocacy to end hunger and support maternal
health.
(5) Build sustainable food networks, improve infrastructure 70
in rural and underserved areas, and coordinate disaster nutrition 71
programs; 72
(6) Incentivize community and school-based gardens to 73
enhance public health and wellness, benefit the local economy, and 74
provide community and educational opportunities; 75
(7) Pass and fund Healthy School Meals for All legislation 76
to reduce childhood hunger by providing breakfast and lunch to all 77
students at no cost, regardless of the student's household income; 78
and 79
(8) Establish a Food Security & Equity Task Force to monitor 80
progress and ensure accountability. 81
WHEREAS, it is most appropriate to recognize the passions of 82
organizations, such as The Links, Incorporated, who seek to 83
improve the quality of life for Mississippi families: 84
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 85
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 86
commend the Mississippi Chapters of The Links, Incorporated, on 87
their passionate commitment to end hunger, improve maternal health 88
and end food insecurity by supporting access and equity for all 89
Mississippians. 90