Issue Brief

Anti-Hunger Advocacy in 2008

 

 

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 21st in the nation for food security.

 

In light of the seriousness of the current state of hunger, the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center (PHAC), the Pennsylvania Association of Regional Food Banks (PARF), and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) have partnered to develop a collaborative strategy for state-wide advocacy on shared interests contained in the FY 2008-2009 state budget.  These interests pertain to food and nutrition programs targeting low-income families, children and senior citizens.  The collaborative advocacy agenda includes the following programs that address hunger and food insecurity for Pennsylvanians in need:

 

  • State Food Purchase Program provides grants to all 67 counties for the purchase of foods and nutritional supplements, for critical transportation and infrastructure needs, and to cover the charges associated with accessing federal food commodities.  It is an essential tool for Pennsylvania’s food banks and food pantries in the effort to provide for our most vulnerable citizens.

 

  • Farmers Market Nutrition Program serves two important goals: good health for Pennsylvania seniors and WIC families, and higher sales by Pennsylvania fruit and vegetable farmers.  Operating from June to November, this program increases the sales of farmers engaged in direct marketing, teaches nutritious eating habits to young families and helps 175,000 seniors to stay healthy by eating fresh produce.

 

  • Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System is a new partnership of the PA Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Association of Regional Food Banks, and the agricultural community.  Benefits to the farmers include: avoiding high costs of landfill disposal, creating positive public relations, increasing new market potential, and reducing overhead cost.  Food banks would have access to more fresh nutritious Pennsylvania-grown produce to help our neighbors in need.

     

  • Neighborhood Assistance Program is not a grant program, but an “incentive” program that provides tax credits to corporations that make contributions to approved programs.  Any business or industry subject to the Pennsylvania corporate net income tax, gross premiums tax, bank & trust company shares tax, title insurance shares, capital stock or foreign franchise tax may receive a 55% tax credit on eligible contributions to approved NAP projects.  The Pennsylvania Charitable Food Network receives millions of dollars of donated food through NAP each year.

 

  • RX for PA School Food Services is an initiative to improve nutrition.  Research shows that children will perform better in school and reduce their risk for obesity and related illnesses if they have healthy lifestyle.  The program provides incentives to school districts that adopt state standards for the food served in school cafeterias and vending machines.

     

ELCA Policy Base  (Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, 1999)

 

“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. 

 

What You Can Do:

 

Click here for a Hunger Advocacy in 2008 letter that you can print and are encouraged to address to your legislators today.  Place the name of your legislator in the salutation (example:  Dear Representative/Senator Jones).  Please sign your name (and print for legibility, if necessary), insert full home address, and date the letter in the signature block as well.  Letters should be returned to the LAMPa office no later than close of business on Friday, May 16.  Rev. Neil Harrison, Executive Director, along with our advocacy partners, will then personally present all letters written to individual representatives at the same time.  In this way we hope to produce a visual and tangible impression with these legislators that their constituents want action on programs that matter to them.  Please consider organizing a letter-signing campaign for this effort in your congregation/organization (contact the LAMPa office for assistance).

 

In addition, you can visit, call and/or email your legislators to let them know that ending hunger in Pennsylvania is important to you as a person of faith and as a neighbor to those who are hungry, and that you want them to support the appropriations outlined in this issue brief.

 

 

April 2008