Grace at the Table Book Discussion

Today, I led our second week of discussion about "Grace at the Table." This book is an overview of poverty (US and global) written by Art Simon and David Beckmann, both leaders of Bread for the World (a Christian based advocacy group). It's a pretty short book written in a question and answer style that makes it really accessible. In fact, it comes with a ready-made study guide. Our group has been small but very dynamic.

A few of the questions we have discussed include:
"How do we perceive poor people? What are the negative stereo-types associated with poverty and how does public policy reflect this?"
"Why do some programs fail? Can we address multiple causes/symptoms of poverty at once to increase the chance of success? On a global or national level, how does that answer change?"
"How is poverty being addressed (or not) in the current presidential campaign?"
...and always, the questions come around to "What can we do?"

Our discussion is sometimes only loosely related to the actual questions in the book, but it is the book's statistics and key points which give us the jumping off point for our conversation. The participants have had wonderful insights and I'm benefitting immensely from the experience. If you happen to go to my church, please join us next Sunday! If you don't, please consider to using this very easy, very insightful book to start your own book discussion!

Economist: Brazil's "Family Fund" anti-poverty program

The Economist ran an article in on Feb 7 about an anti-poverty program in Latin America that is being tried in other countries, including the US. In Brazil (who got it the idea from Mexico), it's called "Bolsa Familia." It's a conditional cash transfer program. In essence, families living in poverty are able to get receive federal money on a cash card on the condition that their children keep attending school and keep current with medical vaccinations.

The hope is that it will lessen the likelihood of poverty in the next generation through better education and improved health. It is also meant to stimulate economic growth in the poorest sections of the country. Some of the criticisms concern the possibility of fraud related to compliance of families, the possibility of it becoming a long-term program instead of a temporary boost, and the perception of the program being a way for politicians to "buy votes." Nonetheless, these programs are attracting attention around the globe. More kids are being vaccinated and educated while impovershed families are able to improve their own situations.

Here's the full story:
http://www.economist.com/world/la/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10650663

Hunger Justice Leaders

Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad, is inviting advocates to become our Hunger Justice Leaders. They’re looking for the best and brightest 18-35 year olds to come to DC this summer (June 14-17) for an all-expense paid organizing training. They’ll then commit to leading advocacy efforts against hunger and poverty in partnership with Bread for the World.

The details are at www.bread.org/bealeader.

We can end hunger in our time. For the first time in history, we have the knowledge, the resources and the capacity to overcome chronic hunger. What we need is the political will. Everyone, including our government must do their part.

Here is a video about the program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4YzpZJrcEg