We'll soon be enjoying the fruits of the Economic Stimulus Act as bonus checks fly into our mailboxes. Extra cash will be a windfall for some taxpayers treating themselves to luxuries like flat screen TV's. Yet what could it mean for a food insecure senior, a teenager too hungry to concentrate on exams, or someone without a home?
This money could be used for a different kind of stimulus. We could increase its benefit by donating it to organizations that stimulate the economic growth of people in need. It would be a win for everyone because the economy would be stimulated as money is spent by the org, neighbors would be helped at a desperate economic time, and donors would receive write-offs for charitable contributions. Food banks, Bottomless Closet, and literacy programs are a few of many kinds of groups that help people in poverty improve their ability to support themselves.
Challenge yourself to consider whether you truly need the stimulus package check. If you do, use it in good health! But if you don't, please consider putting this money in part or whole where it can stimulate the part of the economy that needs it the most.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Farm Bill Update
From Bread for the World...a Farm Bill update as of April 25. Sorry I'm a bit late in posting it here!
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Bread for the World Celebrates Half a Victory as Farm Bill Deal Seems Imminent
The following is a statement from the Rev. David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World, regarding the tentative deal reached this afternoon by Congressional negotiators on the multibillion-dollar Farm Bill:
“Congress is very close to finishing its marathon negotiations on the Farm Bill. We do not yet have the details, and there will probably be some last-minute wrangling over the weekend and next week.
“But Bread for the World is celebrating because Congress has, by all accounts, substantially increased funding for food assistance to hungry people. This is the right thing to do, especially now that hunger and poverty are on the increase. Poor families in this country are facing higher food and fuel prices, higher unemployment, and more restricted access to credit. The increase in world hunger is even more dramatic.
“It would have been wrong to continue past policies at a time when the need for food assistance is acute.
“Reportedly, the new Farm Bill also increases farm subsidies, despite record commodity prices and farm income. Congress has added a whole new subsidy program, a permanent disaster fund, even while they are modestly trimming some ongoing subsidy programs. Bread for the World wanted money shifted from subsidies to affluent landowners into investments that would benefit farm and rural families who really need help. That same shift would reduce the extent to which U.S. farm policies interfere with agriculture in Africa and other poor parts of the world.
“So if Congress and the President finalize the deal that was negotiated today, it will be a half victory for Bread for the World and the other reform groups – more help for hungry people, but no significant reform yet in the subsidy programs.
“The organizations that lobby for big farm subsidies spent $80 million lobbying Congress last year, according to the Wall Street Journal. For the church, environmental, and taxpayer groups who are seeking reform, half a victory is indeed cause for celebration.”
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Bread for the World Celebrates Half a Victory as Farm Bill Deal Seems Imminent
The following is a statement from the Rev. David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World, regarding the tentative deal reached this afternoon by Congressional negotiators on the multibillion-dollar Farm Bill:
“Congress is very close to finishing its marathon negotiations on the Farm Bill. We do not yet have the details, and there will probably be some last-minute wrangling over the weekend and next week.
“But Bread for the World is celebrating because Congress has, by all accounts, substantially increased funding for food assistance to hungry people. This is the right thing to do, especially now that hunger and poverty are on the increase. Poor families in this country are facing higher food and fuel prices, higher unemployment, and more restricted access to credit. The increase in world hunger is even more dramatic.
“It would have been wrong to continue past policies at a time when the need for food assistance is acute.
“Reportedly, the new Farm Bill also increases farm subsidies, despite record commodity prices and farm income. Congress has added a whole new subsidy program, a permanent disaster fund, even while they are modestly trimming some ongoing subsidy programs. Bread for the World wanted money shifted from subsidies to affluent landowners into investments that would benefit farm and rural families who really need help. That same shift would reduce the extent to which U.S. farm policies interfere with agriculture in Africa and other poor parts of the world.
“So if Congress and the President finalize the deal that was negotiated today, it will be a half victory for Bread for the World and the other reform groups – more help for hungry people, but no significant reform yet in the subsidy programs.
“The organizations that lobby for big farm subsidies spent $80 million lobbying Congress last year, according to the Wall Street Journal. For the church, environmental, and taxpayer groups who are seeking reform, half a victory is indeed cause for celebration.”
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
GCFD Farm Bill Call-in/Web message
From the Greater Chicago Food Depository:
We are happy to report that our Congressional leaders are making progress toward passing a Farm Bill, which is the legislation that provides critical resources for national nutrition programs including both the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Food Stamp Program. If passed, the Farm Bill will provide more food to food banks through TEFAP and will make important improvements to the Food Stamp Program. These improvements are needed more than ever due to skyrocketing fuel and food prices. Additionally, the nation’s economic slowdown makes it increasingly difficult for many struggling families and individuals to make ends meet.
As negotiations enter the homestretch a final push is needed to ensure that Members of Congress get the message that they need to adequately fund critical hunger programs that help the hungry secure the food they need.
Please take action today and urge your Members of Congress to pass a final Farm Bill that provides strong support for national nutrition programs that feed low-income Americans.
Call your rep and senators now or take action now at this page...
https://secure2.convio.net/gcfd/site/AdvocacyJServSessionIdr007=2ymmlcrgm6.app6b&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=119
We are happy to report that our Congressional leaders are making progress toward passing a Farm Bill, which is the legislation that provides critical resources for national nutrition programs including both the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Food Stamp Program. If passed, the Farm Bill will provide more food to food banks through TEFAP and will make important improvements to the Food Stamp Program. These improvements are needed more than ever due to skyrocketing fuel and food prices. Additionally, the nation’s economic slowdown makes it increasingly difficult for many struggling families and individuals to make ends meet.
As negotiations enter the homestretch a final push is needed to ensure that Members of Congress get the message that they need to adequately fund critical hunger programs that help the hungry secure the food they need.
Please take action today and urge your Members of Congress to pass a final Farm Bill that provides strong support for national nutrition programs that feed low-income Americans.
Call your rep and senators now or take action now at this page...
https://secure2.convio.net/gcfd/site/AdvocacyJServSessionIdr007=2ymmlcrgm6.app6b&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=119
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