Action Alert!

Anti-Hunger Advocacy

Background

Hunger is a persistent problem in Pennsylvania, in the United States and across the globe.  In November 2007 the US Department of Agriculture reported that 162,000 households in Pennsylvania had “very low food security”, an increase of 14% from 2006.  The same report indicated that 10% of households were “food insecure” (lack of access to sufficient food to meet nutritional needs).  At the same time, the cost of groceries is constantly increasing, — the cost of staples such as milk and eggs has increased by over 20% between 2006 and 2007.  Demands on local food pantries are rising yet the availability of food products to food banks and pantries are shrinking.  Rather than moving forward, Pennsylvania seems to be moving backwards in its efforts to eradicate hunger and currently ranks 21^st in the nation for food security.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is currently considering the Governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2008-2009.  In light of the seriousness of the current state of hunger, we are calling on our advocates to contact their State Representatives and State Senators and urge them maintaining and/or slightly increase appropriations to five successful programs that fight hunger in Pennsylvania: 

• State Food Purchase Program
• Farmers Market Nutrition Program
• Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System
• Neighborhood Assistance Program
• RX for PA School Food Services

For more information on hunger in Pennsylvania and the details of the above programs please click here to visit the LAMPa website to see our Anti-Hunger Advocacy in 2008 Issue Brief.

ELCA Policy Base

“God’s mandate is clear.  ‘Is not this the fast that I chose: to loose the bonds of injustice?and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry?? (Isaiah 58:6-7).’ God’s lavish, justifying grace frees us from self-serving preoccupations and calls us to a life of mutual generosity as we relate to all who are our neighbors.” (p. 11)  And Martin Luther, states that “if you see anyone suffer hunger and do not feed [them], you have let [them] starve” (p. 5).  Therefore, as Christians, and as Lutherans, we are called to be involved in fighting against hunger and its root causes.

(Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, 1999)

What You Can Do:

Join LAMPa advocates across Pennsylvania and address and sign two copies of THIS LETTER: (click here for a copy to print), one to your State Representative and one to your State Senator, asking them to support an increase in funding for successful anti-hunger programs in Pennsylvania.

Please consider organizing a letter signing event in your church asking your fellow Lutherans to join in this important campaign to help end hunger in Pennsylvania (contact the LAMPa office for assistance). 

This campaign is not just for Lutherans!  Ask your Pennsylvania neighbors and friends if they would join in the campaign as well and sign letters addressed to their legislators.

Please send your signed letters to the LAMPa office no later than May 16^th.  The Rev. Neil Harrison, Executive Director of LAMPa, along with other anti-hunger leaders, will hand deliver your letter to your State Representative and State Senator for you!