STRENGTH GLOBAL
IMPACT CASE STUDIES
CASE STUDY 3
LOCAL LEADERSHIP FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE POLICY ADVOCACY
The Mayors Alliance: How Local Leaders are Strengthening the Food Safety Net.
THE CHALLENGE
While national policies set the framework for childhood nutrition, the actual delivery of these programs happens at the community level. Often, local governments lack the targeted funding and peer-to-peer networks necessary to optimize these programs and reach vulnerable families efficiently.
THE APPROACH
Because we believe that "decisions belong closest to the children," Share Our Strength established the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger—a coalition that has grown to include over 600 mayors. The Alliance recognizes that mayors, like Alexandria's Mayor Alyia Gaskins, often bring a deep, personal mission to the fight against hunger. To move from advocacy to direct action, the Mayors Alliance Action Fund was launched to provide catalytic micro-grants directly to city governments.
THE IMPACT
The Action Fund provides critical, flexible capital that cities desperately need. For example, the City of Philadelphia leveraged a $25,000 grant from the initiative to directly bolster local efforts, streamline food distribution, and strengthen summer meal programs. By empowering mayors with both a national platform and localized funding, we are helping proven community solutions become permanent public systems.