To: U.S. Economic Justice Advocates
From: Krista Zimmerman, MCC Washington Office
Date: April 22, 2008

Issue:

Unless Congress acts soon to increase funding for nutrition assistance, more people in the United States will go hungry.

Background:

Food prices around the world are skyrocketing. Even the United States, the largest economy in the world, is feeling the effects. And, as is usually the case, it is the poorest residents who are suffering the most.

In the United States, wealthier families spend less than 7 percent of their income on food while low-income families often spend about 37 percent (2007 U.S. Department of Agriculture survey on 2003-2004 food expenditures). So when the overall cost of food increases by more than 5 percent in one quarter and food like eggs increase by 34 percent, it has a marked effect on a low-income family’s budget. And the effects are not just limited to the quantity of food a family can purchase, but also the quality. Organic milk, almost $7 a gallon in some areas, is now beyond the reach of many women and children.

Participants in the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program are especially threatened by the price increases. WIC is a nutrition program that provides healthy food to pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of five. Needless to say, a substantial portion of its resources go towards dairy products – which recently increased by 17 percent. Because WIC allocations are made once a year based on predictions of need and cost, the funds previously allocated will no longer cover all participants.

Food banks help fill gaps in the U.S. nutritional safety-net. They serve those who are not eligible for assistance programs and those who need additional assistance. As a result of rising prices and economic conditions, food banks estimate a 30 percent increase in requests for help - but their support from the federal government is also decreasing. Five years ago, the federal government donated $242 million in surplus food to food banks and soup kitchens. That number fell to $58 million in 2007.

Faith Reflection:

In Psalms David declares that the Lord will deliver the weak and needy from those who would harm them. (33:10) Jesus instructed the host of a large dinner at which he was a guest to invite, not his friends, but the poor, the crippled and the lame. (Mark 14:13) James instructed the early church not to make distinctions between rich and poor. (James 2:2-5)

Inspired by the biblical command to care for marginalized people, MCC supports policies that promote economic justice and the common good. Adequately funded nutrition programs help feed the poor and care for the marginalized.

Action:

Call or write your congressional delegation with the following messages:

• WIC: the number of mothers and young children served depends on annual appropriations and the cost of operating the program. When food prices increase this sharply, Congress must appropriate more money or families may be cut from the program. Congress must provide additional WIC funding to ensure that all eligible women and children have access to healthy food.
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): TEFAP provides aid to food banks. The program has not received a funding increase since 2003, despite the fact that the cost of food has gone up 18 percent since January 2003. Food banks are finding it increasingly difficult to stock their shelves even as more people turn to them for assistance. TEFAP needs additional funding so that food banks can help families weather the economic downturn and higher food prices.

Call or write members of the House.

Call or write senators.

Go to www3.capwiz.com/c-span/dbq/officials for your member’s contact information.

Visits, e-mails, phone calls, faxes and letters are all good ways to contact your legislators. E-mails, phone calls and faxes are good for time-sensitive issues. Postal mail travels slowly in the Capitol, but letters have long-term impact. Be sure to include your mailing address in all correspondence to confirm your residency in a particular district and state.

We would be grateful for copies of your correspondence and any responses you receive! Please send them to