Did you know that 15 percent of U.S. households struggle to put adequate food on the table? The Farm Bill supports nutrition programs to help feed millions of vulnerable children, seniors, and disabled people. “The prayer which we repeat at every Mass: "Give us this day our daily bread," obliges us to do everything possible, in cooperation with international, state and private institutions, to end or at least reduce the scandal of hunger and malnutrition afflicting so many millions of people in our world.” (Pope Benedict, message about the Eucharist, Sacramentum Caritatis, N.90). If you did not get a chance to write a letter advocating for the needs of hungry, vulnerable people at our courtyard tables last weekend, you can send a letter online at https://go.bread.org/page/48001/action/1ystems or visit our website. Encourage our representatives and senators to pass a Farm Bill focusing on good nutrition, access for the most vulnerable, and resilient, long-term solutions to hunger (Please complete the field that indicates your letter is part of St. Margaret Mary parish’s offering of letters).
“The Eucharist commits us to the poor: To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren.” (Catechism, 1397)
Catholics respond to the call to put love into action through two feet: Charity and Justice. Use your justice foot.
Congress is renewing the Farm Bill, which includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and international food aid. Among measures that should be included are strengthening nutrition security for the most poor and vulnerable; increasing access to programs like SNAP for hungry people; and increasing food system sustainability.
Please take a few minutes to write short letters to your senators, urging them to support a farm bill that builds healthy and sustainable food systems. We will have printed letters ready for you to add your personal message and signature. Better yet, write your own short letter and we’ll deliver it to their offices for you. Stop in the courtyard after masses May 20th-21st or leave your letters in the Bread for the World basket in the parish hall.
Please ADVOCATE!: Ask your senators and representative for a Farm Bill that
Builds Healthy Sustainable Food Systems:
- NUTRITION—Increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables through produce benefits through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which provides resources on top of SNAP benefits for a limited number of households for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables primarily at farmers’ markets.
- ACCESS: Eliminate barriers to SNAP (like a ban on former drug offenders & work requirements for college students). Permit indigenous communities to administer federal nutrition programs on reservations & allow SNAP benefits to purchase hot, prepared foods, which will help seniors, disabled people, and those without access to full kitchens, like families living in motels.
- STEWARDSHIP: Keep food out of landfills by increasing support for post-harvest food recovery efforts and addressing the threat to food security posed by extreme weather.
- REACHING OUT: Support funding for international food aid programs such as Food for Peace.
If you can’t stay to sign a letter, return letters to the Bread for the World basket at the front of the parish hall over the next week.
Don’t know who your congressperson is? Scan above or visit: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Send an email - Scan above or visit www.bread.org/act/ - click on “Act Now” under the ‘What you can do... Write Letters’ heading and complete the field saying you are part of St. Margaret Mary’s offering of letters.
Please PRAY!
- For CHILDREN in the U.S. and around the world whose families suffer from food insecurity.
- For PARENTS struggling to make ends meet, that they would find sufficient sources of income to provide food for their families…
- For the CHURCH, that we would be the hands and feet of Jesus to care for and speak up on behalf of those suffering from food insecurity…
- For our nation's LEADERS, that they would value nutrition programs, and prioritize legislation that cares for people and the environment.
“The prayer which we repeat at every Mass: "Give us this day our daily bread," obliges us to do everything possible, in cooperation with international, state and private institutions, to end or at least reduce the scandal of hunger and malnutrition afflicting so many millions of people in our world.” (Pope Benedict, Sacramentum Caritatis, N.90)
There are two distinct but complementary ways we as Catholics respond to the call to put love into action. Charity is the simple response to immediate needs and specific situations, such as feeding the hungry. (Pope Benedict XVI). Justice concerns the social, political, and economic aspects and the structural dimension of problems and their respective solutions. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church).
Help us walk with both feet and ensure all God's hungry children are fed!
Take a few minutes to write your members of Congress. Urge them to support a farm bill renewal that builds healthy, sustainable food systems with access for the most poor and vulnerable. Please advocate with us!
Simple, personal, hand-written letters are one of the best ways to reach members of Congress. Including a sentence or two about why you care about an issue or how you & our parish community help makes your letter stand out Senators and representatives want to hear from constituents about the issues on which they will vote.
An Offering of Letters is a tool that can help shape public policy and is an expression of our faith in action.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Senator/Representative:
The farm bill is important national food system legislation critical to ending hunger at home and abroad. The farm bill impacts everyone. As Congress renews the many parts of the farm bill, I urge you to support legislation that builds healthy, sustainable food systems for all. I help/my church helps address hunger by __ .
I ask you to:
• Increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables by increasing support for produce benefits in the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which provides additional resources for a limited number of households using SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance) towards the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables primarily at farmers' markets.
• Eliminate barriers to SNAP for the poor and most vulnerable. For example, end the ban on former drug offenders, eliminate work requirements for college students, and permit indigenous communities to administer SNAP and other federal nutrition programs on reservations.
• Keep food out of landfills by increasing support for post-harvest food recovery efforts, like gleaning, and addressing the threat to food security posed by extreme weather.
• Support funding for food assistance programs like Food for Peace, that respond to natural disasters & crisis situations throughout the world.
As a Catholic, I am called to help and advocate for people experiencing hunger and poverty. I urge you to support a robust farm bill that builds healthy, resilient food systems that meet the needs of all, including the poor and most vulnerable.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address - include zipcode)
Prepare letters after Masses in the Courtyard May 20th - 21st or return your letters to the basket in the parish hall during the following week.
