From Feeding America: Action Alert-Urgent Need to Call Congress Today!

November 16, 2011 This message is being sent to network executive directors, public policy personnel, and state associations  Right now, the Super Committee is racing against the November 23 deadline to draft legislation that would cut at least $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit.  Meanwhile, the House and Senate Agriculture Committees are still working to finalize the details of their recommendations to the Super Committee, which we expect will include $4-5 billion in cuts to SNAP.    Final decisions are being made this week, and the stakes are high.   Also this week, the House and Senate will consider the final FY12 Agriculture Appropriations bill (H.R. 2112), which includes funding for TEFAP, CSFP, and WIC. Thanks to your advocacy efforts, funding for anti-hunger programs was protected in the final package, and we are urging Congress to pass H.R. 2112 (also known as the “Mini-bus” Appropriations).  Votes could be as early as Thursday.  For additional details on the Agriculture Appropriations bill, click here. Our window to influence these two important measures is closing fast, and we need every network member to join our national call-in day to urge Congress to protect anti-hunger programs in the Super Committee and to pass the FY12 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  Call Today! Your calls and emails are making a difference, but more pressure is needed if we hope to protect programs important to our mission.  Here’s how you can participate in this important national call-in day.  Call Congress!  Time is running out.  We must continue to keep up the pressure and demonstrate strong constituent support for programs that feed the hungry.  Dial 1-877-698-8228 to connect to your members of Congress.  Just stay on the line after your first call and you’ll be connected to your next member of Congress.   Deliver this simple message: I am an employee of [INSERT FOOD BANK], which serves your constituents.  There are two important issues currently before Congress that will affect hungry people in our community, and I’m counting on your support.  First, I ask that you personally weigh in with the Super Committee to urge them to reject any proposals to cut anti-hunger programs like SNAP, TEFAP, CSFP, or WIC as part of any deficit reduction agreement.  Second, I urge you to vote YES on H.R. 2112, which contains the FY12 Agriculture Appropriations bill.  My food bank can barely meet the need right now, and cutting anti-hunger programs will increase hunger in our community.    Share!  One call from each food bank is not enough.  Share the action alert and our toll-free hotline, 1-877-698-8228, with your staff and local supporters, and be sure to promote it on your social media channels.  We need to generate thousands of calls nationwide to influence this process.  Help us mobilize the public across the country in support of hungry Americans!