by Adele LaTourette, CFBNJ AVP of Policy & Advocacy
Recently I had the opportunity to take the fight against hunger to Capitol Hill as part of Feeding America’s annual Food Bank Fly-In. I joined colleagues from the Food Bank of South Jersey and Fulfill to meet with members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, including the offices of Senator Cory Booker, Senator Andy Kim, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., and Rep. Robert Menendez.
It was a great reminder that a day on Capitol Hill is an amazing experience and one I think everyone should have at least once.
The day starts early, usually with a quick check of the security line outside the building where your first meeting is scheduled. You scope out the line and get ready to move. You’ll learn quickly to use underground tunnels that connect the House office buildings. They’re the quickest way to move and help you avoid lines.
You’ll be among a steady stream of policy advocates, congressional staff, and interns hustling between offices, all navigating the same maze of hallways with purpose.
On a nice day you will want to walk outside toward the Senate buildings. The walk is beautiful and surprisingly quick. When it’s cold and dreary, not so much. Either way, you’ll pass some of the most recognizable buildings in the country. Walking by the Supreme Court always catches your attention, especially when there’s a major issue being debated.
You will meet lots of people and should take lots of pictures. One personal rule of mine: if I see a service dog anywhere along the way, there will absolutely be pictures. And paws.
Somewhere between meetings, you try to grab lunch. That can be its own adventure. The cafeteria in the Longworth House Office Building has the most variety, which also makes it the most crowded. Finding a seat sometimes feels like a small victory. But it can also be one of the most interesting moments of the day. You might end up sitting next to someone advocating for a completely different issue, something you’ve never thought much about before. Conversations like that remind you how many people come to these halls every day to speak up for their communities.
By the end of the day, after miles of walking through buildings and tunnels, meeting with offices, and sharing stories from our communities, you leave with a deep appreciation for what it means to advocate.
There’s something powerful about walking the halls of Congress, seeing where decisions are made, speaking directly with the people who shape policy, and standing alongside others who are there to make sure their communities are heard.
It’s not only an amazing experience but also your own personal moment in our Nation’s history.