State of the Hunger Action Advocate...

Here is is the end of the year, and I am very grateful for the work that we have done together for hungry people. As people of faith, it is imperative that we work together to battle injustices and advocate for the poor.

Here are a few of the things we have done this fall...

Many churches celebrated Hunger Sunday in October.

October also hosted at least 6 CROP Walks for hungry people held in the communities of Boulder, Broomfield, Estes Park, Ft Collins, Greeley, LaSalle and Windsor. St Andrew's Presbyterian and Apostles drew many members as they participated in the Boulder walk which benefited Community Food Share, Church World Service and Bread for the World.

At our Presbytery meeting in late October, attendees participated in Centsability (meal offerings for hungry people ) where almost $30 in pennies was raised and donated to Our Center in Longmont. Packets to starting Centsability were awarded to congregations too.

Just Eating: Practicing Faith at the Table curriculums were also given to some congregations, and leadership training was scheduled.

The Souper Bowl of Caring celebrations are coming soon- and youth leaders of churches should be receiving a mailing very soon. The mailing will explain that in addition to collecting the dollar donations, youth are encouraged to serve hands-on at the charity of their choice the Saturday before the big game. We're hoping to have over 300 Presbyterian youth involved in the service BLITZ this year.

If you have any questions about these or other activities of your Hunger Action Advocate, please contact me!

Hunger Free Communities...

A year ago in June, my boys and I went to Washington to join other Colorado Bread for the World members Coloradoans to lobby congress to reaffirm the goal of ending hunger in the United States. Our goals were to get a report on progress made towards these goals, and continue to adequately fund food stamps and other national nutrition programs. Additionally, there was a grant component that would increase federal funding available to community-based anti-hunger organizations.

I'm happy to say that even though it took 2 years, late last week the Hunger Free Communities Act passed in the Senate. We are proud of our Colorado co-sponsors Senator Ken Salzar (Alex gave him a "hunger plate") and Representatives Diana Degette and John Salazar. How wonderful. I would encourage you to write these folks and thank them for their support. If you feel like it- write the other ones that didn't co-sponsor and encourage them to support other hunger work.

Our leaders have gone on holiday recess, without completing the majority of the spending bills for FY 2007, including poverty-focused development assistance. They will take up this business when they reconvene in January...So plan to contact those members after the first of the year.

The 110th Congress will take up the matter when it convenes in January. Now is the time to lay the groundwork--especially with newly elected members. Your congregation can take action by writing letters and participating in the offering of letters. Writing members of congress urging them to fully fund the poverty development assistance ($2 billion was requested by the President).

Keep writing and celebrating successes!