Let's Talk Bread mtg: 2/24

The Let's Talk Bread discussions about Foreign Aid Reform have been very successful and are going deeper on the topic every time. Therefore, we'll dedicate at least one more session to it. Here are the details!
-----------------------------------

The next meeting will be Tues., Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The location is the same: United Lutheran Church, 409 Greenfield St, Oak Park, IL.

We have agreed to continue the conversation on foreign assistance reform during the next meeting. If you have not done so, please read the informative 2009 Hunger Report from the Bread for the World Institute, found at: www.hungerreport.org. If you would like, you can order a hard copy from the website at www.bread.org (cost is $25). Or you can simply view it online. Please also look over the Study Guide, found by clicking the link at the top of the page. We will use the Study Guide as a springboard for our next discussion.

Chicago Food Depository urges us to Advocate

From the Greater Chicago Food Depository...
----------------------------------------
In recent weeks, new Members of Congress have been sworn in, newly elected state legislators have taken their oaths, and we inaugurated the 44th President of the United States. The coming year will bring both new challenges and new opportunities as the Greater Chicago Food Depository works to meet its mission of providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community.

Please join us in kicking off the new legislative year by sending a letter to welcome our new and returning leaders and urge their support of vital hunger relief efforts.

With the economy facing significant challenges and the cost of food and other basic necessities on the rise, more and more families are struggling to put food on the table. The number of men, women, and children turning to food pantries has increased dramatically in the past year.

As the new legislative year begins, our elected officials must consider the impact that a weak economy and high food and fuel prices are having on every day families by improving and expanding food assistance and nutrition programs. Please take a moment to send your elected officials a note urging their support in the coming year and telling them why fighting hunger is important to you.

Recipients

President Barack Obama
Senator Roland Burris
Senator Richard 'Dick' J. Durbin
Representative Jan D. Schakowsky
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
Senator Ira I. Silverstein
Representative John C. D'Amico


Sincerely,
Greater Chicago Food Depository

House passed SCHIP

Congress took at big step in covering uninsured children on Jan 14. The House passed legislation to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), 289-139 . This bill would extend the program by 4½ years and would cover an estimated 4.1 million uninsured children. As you recall, in 2007, Congress passed a similar bill but it was later vetoed by President Bush. One key aspect of this legislation is language to allow states the option to immediately begin covering documented immigrant children and pregnant women (they currently have to wait 5 years before they are eligible). It is estimated that between 400,000 and 600,000 children would become eligible by simply lifting the ban.

I'm not sure what happened in the Senate, but I will let you know when I do!