Offering of Letters with Bread for the World

Now through Sunday, June 4^th

Advocate to End Hunger

Write Letters to U.S. Congress and bring them to Church!

Hunger Facts:

• The Majority of Americans (51.4%) will live in poverty at some point of their lives before the age of 65.
• More than 1 in 5 children in the U.S. are at risk of hunger. This ratio is 1 in 3 among Black and Latino(a) children.
• Low-income households, those making less than $10,000/year, must spend a greater percentage of their income on food, 16.4%, to curb hunger, compared with average households in the U.S. that spend only about 12.7% on food. This leaves less funds available for other necessities like secure housing and healthcare.
• Many seniors also struggle with food insecurity as there are currently about 5 million seniors that live below the poverty line.
• Visit: https://www.bread.org/hunger-explained/hunger-in-the-u-s/ for these and other facts about hunger in the U.S.

Introduction

As people of faith, we are called to care for the most vulnerable in our society. And yet, those experiencing poverty in our country are too often required to bear the burden of our financial decisions. Proverbs 22:22 reminds us, “do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate.” Individuals and families living in poverty are faced daily with difficult decisions on what basic necessities they will have to prioritize. Causes of hunger are intricately related to problems of poverty and greed. (United Methodist Resolution #4051) 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), sometimes referred to as food stamps, provides key grocery benefits to those in danger of hunger and has proven to be a very effective anti-poverty tool in our country. However, it is at risk of significant budget cuts. Additional work requirements are also being proposed that would further restrict access for people that need SNAP. Instead, we should increase funding and create more equitable access to SNAP for those that are often pushed to the margins. 

Therefore, I invite each of you to participate in our Offering of Letters with Bread for the World by writing to our U.S. Senators and Representatives. We join with many other churches across the country in this activity. Bread for the World is a Christian advocacy organization urging U.S. decision makers to do all they can to pursue a world without hunger. This year’s Offering of Letters is focused on the 2023 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a package of legislation that is typically re-authorized about every five years and covers how agriculture is regulated in the U.S. SNAP is a significant portion of the Farm Bill.  

Steps to Writing Letters

1. It is easy to participate. Choose to write 1, 2, or 3 letters: 

• Write to Senator Patty Murray (link below)
• Write to Senator Maria Cantwell (link below)
• Write to your U.S. Representative (link to Sample Letter). Use this website to find your representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

2. You can handwrite your letters, type your letters, email your letters, or make phone calls:

• Fill out the yellow portions in the sample letter. Personalize your letter by including an introductory paragraph with your name, your church, and why the issue of hunger is important to you. 
• Describe some of the key components you hope will be addressed and why. Revise the talking points in the sample letter as you see fit to focus on what is important to you (or use what is written). Use these resources below to learn more about the issues:
  • Farm Bill Policy Platform
  • Nutrition One Pager
  • Equity One Pager
  • Sustainability One Pager

Bread for the World Key Advocacy Asks and Sample Outline.

3. Bring your letters to Church between now and Sunday, June 4^th and drop them off in the basket at our table by the nametags, either before or after worship. 
   • On Sunday, June 4^th, we will celebrate all of the letters, emails, and phone calls that have been collected or sent.

4. For Emails/Phone Calls:
   • If you have sent an email or made a phone call, be sure to note it in our form here so that we can track how many have been completed: https://firstchurchseattle.breezechms.com/form/b03ea6
   • Or, email me at jackie@firstchurchseattle.org.
   • Here are two ways to Email:

• Email Congress through Bread for the World
• Email your Representative about SNAP priorities through the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society