Lobby Day June 12, 2012

Colorado group in Representative Gardner's Office

A group of six Coloradans delivered nearly 100 letters to our congresspeople Tuesday June 12th as we urged to them to place a circle of protection around programs vital to the hungry and poor people in the U.S. and around the world.

Thanks to contributions from 1st United Presbyterian in Loveland and Longmont Central Presbyterian the  beautifully written and incredibly inspiring letters had a profound impact on our visits. Since the Senate introduced the farm bill this week, much of our conversation centered on full funding for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs- formerly food stamps). Did you know that 400,000 Coloradans benefit from SNAP? The program is incredibly successful to with less than 1% fraud and most folks are only recipients for less than 9 months!

Secondly, we urged them to look at sustaining anti-hunger and anti-poverty program funding. This includes  domestic programs like SNAP and Women Infants & Children but also International Food Assistance and International Poverty Assistance programs. I have seen an example of the results of the Poverty Assistance programs first hand with our Zambian brothers and sisters as the U.S. is able to provide them with antiretroviral drugs for AIDS.

Finally, we asked them to work on the deficit reduction through a lens of diverse viewpoints...looking at lots of options including revenue generation. We urged them not to balance their budget on the backs of the poor and to place a circle of protection around programs vital to the hungry and poor people in the U.S. and around the world.

The meetings were well received in both Bennet's office (where we met with Grant Colvin) and Udall's office (where we met with Sara Kagey and Krysten Joyce). We also met with Jennifer Loraine in Representative Gardner's office who asked us for more information in order to become a stronger supporter of protecting programs that fight hunger.

I can't thank the congregations in the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks enough for the prayers and letters they sent us with. The letters are HUGE and are really influential having a big impact on the staffers and members of congress. Their eyes really light up and some started reading right away! These letters are extremely important and an integral part of our lobby day!  ~Phil G.