Children's Alliance

The Children's Alliance recognized Sen. Joe Fain (-Auburn) as a 2013 Legislative Champion on Tuesday for his work to end childhood hunger.

Fain led an effort to restore funding for State Food Assistance, which provides grocery money to low-income families with children. Fain worked with his colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives to partially restore program benefits by including an additional $9.4 million in the state's new two-year budget.

"Sen. Fain listened to and learned from parents and families in South King County," said Jon Gould, deputy director of the Children's Alliance, "and then put his leadership to work increasing food assistance for hungry children."

The Children's Alliance is a statewide advocacy group focused on improving funding and policies for a variety of programs including early learning, food assistance, children's health care and foster care. It presents annual awards to legislators who show an extraordinary commitment to helping children through their work in the Legislature.

"Ensuring that Washington's children don't go hungry is essential for success in school," said Fain, who serves as Majority Floor Leader in the Senate and as a member of the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. "I am grateful to have had the opportunity to hear stories from children and families here in Kent who rely on this food. Preparing children for the classroom is the only way to ensure that the classroom can prepare them for college and careers."