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Saturday, April 28, 2012
From Northwest Harvest: Save Heat and Eat!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Annual Human Services Awards - send in your nomination before April 30!
 The Seattle Human Services Coalition's Annual Human Services Awards is the perfect avenue to show your appreciation and commend the inspirational work that is accomplished within our community. You can nominate your own organization, an agency or program that you know of or a person that has inspired you through their dedication to social justice and serving our community. And yes, you can make more that one nomination! We are surrounded by inspirational advocates for human services and social justice. Help honor their work by nominating them for a Human Services Award! Deadline to submit your nomination is April 30th. Here are two ways to send us your nomination: 1. Make a nomination online 2. Download our nomination form and fax or email the form back to SHSC About the awards: The Annual Human Services Awards has been celebrating the accomplishments of our local human services since 1993. Each year we encourage agencies, non-profit organizations and community members to acknowledge the work of those who have made a deep impact on the residents of Seattle. This is a unique event that recognizes people and organizations who are working towards social justice and the betterment of ALL Seattle residents.
SAVE THE DATE!
2012 Human Services Award Ceremony & Reception
Tuesday, June 5th from 5:30 - 7:30pm Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Room |
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GiveBIG to Washington Food Coalition On May 2nd!
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Washington Food Coalition | PO Box 95752 | Seattle, Washington 98145 | United States
Monday, April 23, 2012
Conference call tomorrow for summer meals
You’re invited! WithinReach will host a conference call tomorrow (4/ 24) to share new ideas for summer meal program menus
Hear
how Leona Adams (Loon Lake School District), Kris Van Gasken (DesMoines
Food Bank) and others have worked to add variety and foods that kids
like to their meal schedules. Join the conversation for ideas to improve
meal production and distribution and overall meal quality in your
program. This discussion is designed to help both experienced
sponsors and those new to the program in planning their summer lunch
menus.
“Sharing Ideas to Improve Food in your Summer Meals Program”
Tuesday, April 24 (12-1pm) Call 1-877-808-1928 Pin = 0603
Friday, April 20, 2012
Summer Internship Opportunity through Rotary First Harvest
Harvest Against Hunger is accepting applications for 11 Summer
VISTA Associate positions across WA State until Sunday, April 22. Summer
Associates will work to start or sustain local efforts of food bank and
community gardens from mid-June to late-August. Opportunities exist in
Concrete, Seattle, Carnation, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver, Okanogan,
Wenatchee Yakima, Walla Walla and Spokane.
Local college students are
encouraged to apply for the position online (all applicants will be
considered, must be 18 or older). Applications here:
For more info contact:
--
Benjamin Rasmus
Harvest Against Hunger
Program Director
206-686-1486
Rotary First Harvest
www.firstharvest.org
Benjamin Rasmus
Harvest Against Hunger
Program Director
206-686-1486
Rotary First Harvest
www.firstharvest.org
Washington Agencies Get Top Donations from CHS Harvest for Hunger Campaign
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| Click on image to view and read article |
Washington Update on House Agriculture Committee Reconciliation Measure and Upcoming Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill
There is a lot happening on SNAP
this week, and we wanted to give you an update of what we know regarding
the two separate but moving vehicles: the House Agriculture Committee
Reconciliation Measure and the upcoming Senate Agriculture Committee
Farm Bill.
But first, we would like to thank
you for all your work this week on the SNAP state organization sign-on
letters, call-in days, and Tuesday’s “Special Order” on the House floor.
All have been very successful because of your hard work.
House Agriculture Committee Reconciliation:
Yesterday, per reconciliation
instructions from the House-passed Ryan budget, the House Agriculture
Committee made over $33 billion in program cuts under its jurisdiction
but used its discretion to take the funds entirely from SNAP. No
household would be spared from seeing its benefits reduced, and millions
of low-income people would be forced out of the program. The proposal
was passed by voice vote (no recorded vote). The measure is not
expected to move forward since the Senate will not take up
Reconciliation. However, this measure demonstrates the resolve of some
in Congress to severely cut the SNAP program.
The proposal would do the following:
- End the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s boost to SNAP benefits on June 30, 2012.
- Eliminate the state option known as “Heat and Eat” which will reduce SNAP benefits for households eligible for but receiving the smallest, least adequate LIHEAP benefits.
- Limit states’ ability to administer the categorical eligibility option. Over three million SNAP recipients would lose eligibility. In addition, it would take free school breakfast and lunch away from more than 280,000 low-income children. These children are eligible to receive free school lunches and breakfasts because their families qualify for SNAP. The proposal, by eliminating their SNAP eligibility, would remove them from free school meals as well.
- Reduce the federal matching funds for SNAP employment and job training.
- Eliminate state performance bonuses for improving program participation and accuracy.
- Eliminate indexing on for SNAP nutrition education funding.
Click here for FRAC’s statement on yesterday’s vote.
Click here for the House Agriculture Committee’s Reconciliation Bill.
Click here for a summary of the House Agriculture Committee’s Reconciliation Bill.
2012 Farm Bill:
Tomorrow, Senate Agriculture
Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow is expected to release her ‘mark’
(farm bill proposal). We will send you details of the mark as they
emerge. Chairwoman Stabenow has indicated that she wants to mark up her
bill next week (most likely Wednesday).
Take Action:
While the cuts made in the House
Budget Reconciliation proposal are non-starters in the Senate, there is a
real threat to SNAP cuts in the Farm Bill in both the House and Senate.
This is a critical time to weigh in with your Senators and
Representatives and urge them to oppose any cuts to SNAP.
Message: Strengthen and
Protect SNAP. Urge your Senators and Representatives to oppose any
proposals that would change SNAP’s structure or reduce funding, restrict
eligibility or reduce benefits (including limiting the “Heat and Eat”
option states have). Congress should strengthen, not weaken SNAP,
including the President’s proposal to restore the cut in the ARRA boost.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Summer Meals Conference Call Thurs. 4/19 at 2 PM
You’re invited! WithinReach will host a conference call this Thursday about working with partners in your community to build a strong, sustainable summer meal program.
Please join long-time summer meal sponsors Carol Barker (Auburn School District), Kevin Glackin-Coley (St. Leo’s Food Connection), Leona Adams (Loon Lake School District) and others to kick start a conversation about how to build and sustain your program over time by working with local partners. This discussion is designed to help both experienced sponsors and those new to the program to increase your program’s visibility, participation and sustainability.
“Building Partnerships for Sustainable Summer Meal Programs”
Thursday, April 19 (2-3pm) Call 1-877-808-1928 Pin = 0603
Because space on the conference line may be limited, please be sure to RSVP to Sue Waldin or call (206) 830-7642 if you plan to join the call.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
From AHNC: Info on SNAP Call-In Days
SNAP Call-In Days – Tuesday, April 17 through Thursday, April 19 – Strengthen and Protect Our Nation’s First Line of Defense Against Hunger
Background: Both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees are poised to take up SNAP legislation in the coming weeks. Bad choices could weaken SNAP/Food Stamps or do worse damage. It is critically important that your Senators and House Members hear a roar from constituents opposing proposals to cap or reduce funding, restrict eligibility or reduce benefits in SNAP – and that efforts should be made to strengthen, not weaken, the program. Members of Congress should also support efforts to strengthen TEFAP, so it too can better respond in times of increased need.
Messages:
Call Your Senators Toll Free: 1-877-698-8228* - You will be directed to the offices of your Senators
Call Your House Members: 202-225-3121 (Capitol Switchboard)
SNAP Message: Every communication to your Members of Congress and the media should contain these three words: strengthen, protect, SNAP.
Urge your Members of Congress to speak out in support of SNAP at Committee hearings, caucus meetings, and on the floor of the House and Senate. Members of Congress must oppose any proposals that would change SNAP’s structure or reduce funding, restrict eligibility or reduce benefits (including limiting the “Heat and Eat” option states have – and that is so critical to tens of thousands of Washington residents). Members should also support SNAP improvements, including the President’s proposal to restore the cut in the ARRA boost. SNAP works – it is responding to increased need and must be strengthened, not weakened, in order to continue to provide critically-needed nutrition assistance.
TEFAP Message: Urge your Members of Congress to support strengthening funding for TEFAP, which is a critical source of food for food banks and the clients they serve.
Don't forget to share your voice online by tweeting and using your Facebook status update. Be sure to tag FRAC in your messages and include the hashtag #SNAPworks.
SNAP Talking Points:
• SNAP works. Weakening SNAP would lead to more hunger and food insecurity, worse health and educational outcomes, and higher health costs.
• Increasing SNAP benefits reduce hunger. USDA researchers found that the boost to SNAP benefits included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) improved the food security of low-income households.
• SNAP is responsive in times of need. SNAP’s responsiveness to unemployment proved it to be one of the most effective safety net programs during the recent recession, providing families with a stable source of food.
• SNAP helps the most vulnerable. The average beneficiary household has an income of only 57 percent of the federal poverty guideline; and 84 percent of all benefits go to households with a child, senior, or disabled person.
• SNAP lifts people out of poverty. SNAP lifted 3.9 million Americans above the poverty line in 2010, including 1.7 million children and 280,000 seniors.
• SNAP has – for decades – enjoyed bipartisan support. Recent polling data from FRAC found that 77 percent of voters said that cutting SNAP would be the wrong way to reduce government spending. Every bipartisan deficit group in 2010-2011 has insulated it from cuts, including the Simpson-Bowles and Domenici-Rivlin commissions; the Gang of Six; and the August 2011 deficit agreement. In his FY2012 and FY2013 budgets the President has included proposals to strengthen the program.
*Toll Free number courtesy of Feeding America
From Northwest Harvest: Advocates Update
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From Seattle Food Committee: Resources from Parent Trust for Washington Children
 Seattle Food Committee |
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Posted: 16 Apr 2012 05:03 PM PDT
 Becca Roy from the Parent Trust for Washington Children stopped by last Monday's Seattle Food Committee meeting to share information about the services they provide that might be helpful for food bank clients with children. Here's what she had to say: Parent Trust for Washington Children (PTWC) is a locally-based, state-wide family support non-profit. We offer a range of family support services that are free to low-cost, which can all be found on our website: www.parenttrust.org. Two in particular we would like to highlight are the child development screening program and the Family Help Line, which are both FREE. The developmental screenings are designed for children ages 1-month to 5-years old, and explore large and fine motor development, communication, problem solving, and personal/social development. We also provide fun, interactive activities, and answer parents' concerns and questions. For more information, check out our website: www.parenttrust.org/asq. Another valuable resource provided by PTWC's is the Family Help Line. Parents can call 1-800-932-4673 for parenting information, referrals to community services, and support. Call as often and as many times as wanted. We're here and happy to help. We look forward to hearing from you. Hand in Hand, Rebecca Roy rroy@parenttrust.org |
Monday, April 16, 2012
Media on the Farm Bill
Republicans to slash food stamps
Politico
Food stamps moved front-and-center in the budget wars Monday morning, as House Republicans began rolling out a first wave of $33.2 billion in 10-year savings that will have an immediate impact in the farm bill debate and come November, ...
Politico
Food stamps moved front-and-center in the budget wars Monday morning, as House Republicans began rolling out a first wave of $33.2 billion in 10-year savings that will have an immediate impact in the farm bill debate and come November, ...
Small Farmers: Don't Balance Farm Bill Budget on Our Backs
Public News Service
With the national Farm Bill up for renewal by the end of September, Congressional leaders are looking for draft bills from key committees in both houses this month. They have already warned that funding will be cut, and small farmers are afraid that ...
Public News Service
With the national Farm Bill up for renewal by the end of September, Congressional leaders are looking for draft bills from key committees in both houses this month. They have already warned that funding will be cut, and small farmers are afraid that ...
Mercury News editorial: Farm Bill must not subsidize Big Ag at the expense of ...
San Jose Mercury News
So have the record prices and yields made Midwestern farmers and Big Ag happy? No, no, no. When Congress takes up the 2012 Farm Bill on Monday, their wails for subsidies will be as loud as ever. Don't worry. House Republicans will dry their tears.
San Jose Mercury News
So have the record prices and yields made Midwestern farmers and Big Ag happy? No, no, no. When Congress takes up the 2012 Farm Bill on Monday, their wails for subsidies will be as loud as ever. Don't worry. House Republicans will dry their tears.
Sen. Bennet believes Farm Bill could come together this year
Fence Post
Michael Bennet, D-Colo., listens to Morris Ververs as he speaks about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program during the farm bill discussion held on the University of Northern Colorado campus Wednesday afternoon. Bennet, along with other Senate ...
Fence Post
Michael Bennet, D-Colo., listens to Morris Ververs as he speaks about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program during the farm bill discussion held on the University of Northern Colorado campus Wednesday afternoon. Bennet, along with other Senate ...
Farm Bill 2012: 'It's a mess, but it's our mess'
Grist Magazine
By Twilight Greenaway Daniel Imhoff began writing about the farm bill before today's so-called Good Food Movement took hold. In 2007, in an effort to make accessible the giant piece of legislation that touches on everything from food stamps to farm ...
Grist Magazine
By Twilight Greenaway Daniel Imhoff began writing about the farm bill before today's so-called Good Food Movement took hold. In 2007, in an effort to make accessible the giant piece of legislation that touches on everything from food stamps to farm ...
Deep Rifts Forming In Farm Bill Debate
Insurance News Net (press release)
The plot thickens in the farm bill saga, although one economist stresses we are far from a final version of the legislation. What is certain is that the current debate reflects the deep ideological difference that has intensified among policy makers in ...
Insurance News Net (press release)
The plot thickens in the farm bill saga, although one economist stresses we are far from a final version of the legislation. What is certain is that the current debate reflects the deep ideological difference that has intensified among policy makers in ...
The Worst Farm Bill Ever?
Mother Jones
The farm bill—that vast, byzantine, twice-a-decade plan for federal food, ag, and hunger policy—expires on Sept. 30, just weeks before what promises to be an epically contested presidential election. Under normal circumstances, getting Congress to ...
Mother Jones
The farm bill—that vast, byzantine, twice-a-decade plan for federal food, ag, and hunger policy—expires on Sept. 30, just weeks before what promises to be an epically contested presidential election. Under normal circumstances, getting Congress to ...
Friday, April 13, 2012
From Food Lifeline: Thank Your State Lawmakers
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THANK YOUR STATE LAWMAKERS!
State
lawmakers voted to pass a budget that maintains funding for vital
anti-hunger and nutrition programs, including school nutrition, the
Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), the Emergency Food Assistance
Program (EFAP), and State Food Assistance!
Please take the time to thank your lawmakers for funding these important programs. In a time of competing interests and a serious budget deficit, we appreciate their hard work and commitment to feeding those in need. Please click here to send a “Thank You” to your state lawmakers. |
Thursday, April 12, 2012
From AHNC: Session Wrap-Up! Federal ACTION ALERT
This week the House and the Senate agreed on a budget
proposal to send to Governor Gregoire for her signature!
The special legislative session ended at midnight on Tuesday
with lawmakers very close to a budget deal.
Shortly after midnight the governor called for an additional special
session to run for 1 day. By Wednesday
morning lawmakers had a budget agreement.
This budget process was long and challenging. We could not
have advocated successfully if it weren’t for each of you responding so quickly
to all of our many action alerts. Your
phone calls, emails, and direct outreach to lawmakers made a tremendous
impact. Thank you for staying the course with us- your efforts have helped
to ensure countless Washington families will be able to access nutrition and
hunger relief programs.
Our 2012 legislative priorities, State Food Assistance, Farmers Market Nutrition Program for WIC
and Seniors, School Meals, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program are all
preserved in the budget. Part of how this was possible is minor success in
our other priority: new revenue to support the safety net and other critical
state services. The Legislature will be ending tax loopholes for out-of-state
banks and raise an estimated $12 million from a new tax on roll your own
cigarette machines.
State Food Assistance
is saved! Though slated for elimination in the last two years, this program that provides
food stamps to legal, documented immigrants who are otherwise ineligible for federal
food key members in leadership positions were fantastic advocates on this issue
and there was a tremendous media push to highlight the impact and importance of
this program. Though the program was not eliminated, there will be a 50% cut in
in benefit levels for SFA clients. This proposal was made when the budget was
written during the 2011 session, and the recent ruling by the federal court now
allows that cut to take effect. It is not clear yet when DSHS will implement
this change in benefit levels and how they will communicate this change to
clients and staff, but we are monitoring this. At the same time, the campaign
for restoring full benefits starts NOW.
Farmers Market Nutrition
Programs for WIC and Seniors has been preserved, though also at a
significantly reduced funding level than in the past. The state budget provides
sufficient funds to draw down the federal funds for FMNP and provide cohesive
staffing for the program. With reduced state funding, it’s now expected to be a
40% decrease in funds for WIC FMNP this summer.
In our Coalition’s other priorities,
there were no changes at all to funding
for child nutrition programs at OSPI nor to EFAP funding for food banks through
WSDA.
Legislators came to a compromise on a
major sticking point—ending pensions for early retiring state employees by
agreeing on a 50% cut in pension benefits for those who retire at age 55.
Pension benefits for public workers have already suffered from cuts in the
past, but the latest cut will only apply to those employees who start work
after May 2013. An additional $238 million was saved from the debt by approving
an accounting maneuver that allows the state to hold on to some local and
municipal sales taxes a little longer before returning them to local
governments.
Federal update and ACTION ALERT: Over the past few weeks we’ve told you about a nation-wide advocacy
effort to support SNAP (food stamps) in the Farm Bill reauthorization. The
Farm Bill funds and governs SNAP and is reauthorized every 5 years.
Advocates in
Washington were specifically asked to circulate a sign-on letter to preserve SNAP’s integrity and effectiveness directed
to Washington State’s critical Congressional delegation. Over 60 Washington
organizations signed on, and the letter will be delivered to Congress members while
they are in recess in their districts this week and next. Already the letter
was delivered to Sen. Patty Murray’s office, Rep. Dave Reichert, and today to
Rep. Jim McDermott.
· This Friday April 13th, FRAC will hold a telephone conference call about the Farm Bill from 11am-12pm (1-866-339-6642 code *9626624*)
· “Farm Bill 101” educational workshop that will be happening this weekend at the Ballard Branch Library (5614 22nd Avenue NW Seattle, WA 98107) in their large meeting room on Sunday, April 15th, from 2:00-4:00
Upcoming Events
·
Puget
Regional Food Policy Council Meeting Friday April 13th, 10:00am-noon
PSRC Conference Room at 1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle, WA. The
agenda packet is available at http://psrc.org/about/
·
WithinReach Annual Luncheon: April 25th
·
Northwest Harvest Annual Meeting: June 1st
Upcoming AHNC General Meetings
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Upcoming General Meeting
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Member Host
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June 12
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TBD
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August 14
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TBD
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October 9
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TBD
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From Northwest Harvest: Advocates Update
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