I want to let you know about a new grassroots initiative at Bread for the World to bring hunger and poverty to the forefront of the 2008 elections. It's called the Bread for the World Election Action Team against Hunger, 2008 (or "BEAT Hunger '08" for short). I invite you to be a part of it.
What is BEAT Hunger '08? (to find out more, visit http://ga4.org/campaign/BEAT_Hunger_2008)
Picture this... You're at a town hall meeting with a candidate for Congress. The candidate finishes her stump speech, and now it's time for Q & A. Your heart is racing as you stand up to the microphone in the aisle... You introduce yourself, and ask your question about what she will do about the 35 million people in our country who are hungry or at risk of hunger... The candidate responds - maybe with an answer you like, maybe not. Your friend in the audience captures the whole thing on video and will post it on YouTube in about an hour. The candidate leaves the meeting knowing that this is an issue she must address if elected.
As a part of BEAT Hunger '08, you'll be speaking up to House and Senate candidates about hunger and poverty at town hall meetings and community events - a tactic commonly known as "bird-dogging."
Sign up for BEAT Hunger '08 to receive updates on candidate events near you: http://ga4.org/campaign/BEAT_Hunger_2008
We will track when many candidates for the House and Senate hold public events and notify you once you've signed up for BEAT Hunger '08. Ideally, two or three (or more) BEAT Hunger '08 members will be able to attend a town hall meeting - there's real strength in numbers. We will also help you along the way with tips on how to ask questions effectively, how to organize a group of people beforehand, how to document your experience, and how to follow-up with the campaign.
We invite your creativity too. We'll need guest bloggers, and we welcome short videos of question and answers to post on our Web site. BEAT Hunger '08 participants may also raise issues in the media, meet with candidates for office, and take other actions to let candidates know they have a constituency that cares about hunger. The sky is the limit.
If you would like to take a leadership role in BEAT Hunger '08, please consider becoming a "coordinator." We need grassroots leaders to help us track candidate schedules and to meet with campaigns and their staffs to educate them about hunger and poverty. If you're interested in finding out about becoming a BEAT Hunger '08 coordinator, sign up and check the box letting us know you'd like to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this exciting new initiative. Our mission at Bread for the World is to urge our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. With your efforts and God's help, we can move one step closer to realizing this vision.
Sign up for BEAT Hunger '08: http://ga4.org/campaign/BEAT_Hunger_2008
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