Update & Action Alert from AHNC

Update & Action Alert  Newly released economic forecast: $1.3 billion deficit (2013-15) and another $1 billion needed for education On Wednesday, the state's latest economic forecast was released - once again, the news is bad but some feared it would be worse. Here are several factors that are driving our deficit: When session began, WA had a $900 million deficit for the 2013-15 biennium. With the loss of federal funds to our state (~$6 million less per month) because of sequestration; an increased collection of revenue in the current biennium ($59 million), expectations for lower revenue collections in the next biennium (down $19 million). The impact of the state's Bracken lawsuit would increase the deficit further, so legislation to close that loophole is important; without it, our 2013-15deficit is $1.3 billion. Finally, remember this forecast does not include provisions to meet theMcCleary ruling by the Supreme Court which requires greater state spending on K-12 education. With estimates of another $1 billion needed for education,Washington State functionally will be $2.3 billion in the red.   Note: These figures assume sequestration will end by June 30; if not, Washington will continue to lose $6 million monthly, with the biggest impacts felt in the communities near military bases (Tacoma, Bremerton, Everett, Oak Harbor). To read more: http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/state-tax-revenue-remains-far-short-of-need-latest-forecast-shows  http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020605668_revenueforecastxml.html http://www.erfc.wa.gov/forecast/documents/rev20130320color.pdf Opportunities to weigh in The Seattle Times is asking readers, "How should the state close a $1.3 billion shortfall and fund education?" We vote for the first option, "Raise revenue through closing loopholes and/or extending soon-to-be-expired taxes."  We do NOT support the second option, "No need to raise or extend taxes - cut spending."  Washington has cut spending for several years in a row and families are going hungry as a result; it's time for new solutions that help people put food on the table and grow our economy.   Want to vote in the poll? Vote here. State legislators want to hear from you - go to your town hall meetings! Last week, many lawmakers across the state held town hall meetings, and there are more scheduled for this weekend and the coming weeks. Go here to get detailson your district and where to go when.  FEDERAL UPDATE (thanks to Northwest Harvest): This week both the House and Senate released budget proposals; they reflect radically different views about deficits, spending, program structure, and the role of federal programs themselves. Like last year's House budget led by Rep. Paul Ryan, there are no plans raise revenue to balance the budget. Instead, the House would transform Medicare into a voucher program, repeal Obamacare, turn SNAP (food stamps) into a block grant to states, and decimate other programs to balance the budget in ten years. In a vote this week, the budget passed mostly along party lines - yet 10 Republicans voted against it. The Senate budget does include new revenues from a variety of sources, and does not aim to eliminate the federal deficit. Rather, it mixes spending cuts with revenues and seems geared to ensure that families have access to services and systems that help people gain and keep jobs, raise healthy families, and avoid the across-the-board budget cutting approach of sequestration. Most important for anti-hunger advocates, the Senate budget protects the structure and funding for SNAP. Take Action: Contact your Representative and ask them to sign House Resolution 90, which opposes cuts to SNAP. Congress members want to hear from you - 7th CD Town Hall:    Rep. Adam Smith (7th Congressional District) has a newly-drawn district; he wants to hear from his constituents about their priorities and talk about what's happening in Congress.  Ask Rep. Smith to sign House Resolution 90!       Details: Thursday, March 28 (7 - 8:30 pm) Hazelwood Elementary School Commons   7100 116th Ave SE Newcastle, WA 98056 Please RSVP to 425-793-5180 or 1-(888) SMITH 09 E-Mail: RSVPSmith@mail.house.gov        Follow us on

Northwest Harvest Advocates Update

Advocates Update Thursday, March 21      IN THIS ISSUE Upcoming Events Speak Now to Protect Hungry Washington Families Upcoming Events April 9: Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition General Membership Meeting 2:30-4:30, Within Reach, 155 NE 100th St, #500 May 10: Northwest Harvest Annual Conference READ MORE   Northwest Harvest PO Box 12272 Seattle, Washington 98102 800-722-6924 Your Weekly Action Alert:   Speak Now to Protect Hungry Washington Families in State & Federal Budgets State Level:  The March revenue forecast released on Wednesday predicts that despite signs of economic improvement, Washington still faces an over $1 billion deficit. Our legislators need to hear from you now, telling them that cutting spending for safety net services is not the answer to our fiscal problems.READ MORE     Take Action Please call or email your legislators today and ask them to protect, strengthen, and restore nutrition programs in our operating budget. You can tailor the following message with information about your work or experiences supporting emergency food providers:                  Washington needs a budget that protects and strengthens programs that help low-income families meet their basic needs. We need a budget that invests in families by strengthening and repairing our hunger relief system... ACT NOW  Preserving Our Safety Net:  Pretend you're a legislator! Check out this interactive tool that allows you to figure out how you would balance our budget.  READ MORE  Federal Level:   House Budget Chair Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Chair Patty Murray released very different blueprints for our federal budget. READ MORE Take Action Please continue to contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to support a budget and Farm Bill that protects and strengthens SNAP and other nutrition assistance programs. You can ask your Representative to take an important step towards protecting and strengthening SNAP by having them sign onto H.R. 90, a resolution issued by Rep. Jim McGovern that calls for opposing a Farm Bill that cuts SNAP. ACT NOW    Find and contact your U.S. Representative here:  http://house.gov/representatives/find/   The mission of Northwest Harvest is to provide nutritious food to hungry people statewide in a manner that respects their dignity, while fighting to eliminate hunger.

Meals for Kids and Other Summer Meals Grants

March 13, 2013 Summer Meal Grants - New Information  OSPI Summer Meals for Kids Grant was released yesterday! Funds are available through OSPI  for start-up or expansion of Summer Meal programs.  Grants can fund sponsors for equipment, training and outreach in any eligible Washington program. If you are interested in applying for a Summer Meals for Kids grant, sponsors must first submit the "OSPI Intent to Participate as a Summer Meals Sponsor" application.  Next, sponsors must register for the i-Grant system.  If sponsors do not have an iGrant account, you must contact the help desk at 1-800-725-4311to get a user ID and password.  If sponsors had a password or user name and need to reset it, go to this iGrant web page. Review a SAMPLE of the grant application  and instructions for grant completion.  Organizations or schools that intend to apply for a Meals for Kids grant for their Summer Meals program must complete their application online via OSPI’s iGrants system. This sample only allows you to view the proposal and to prepare responses before logging in. Deadline to apply is Friday, April 5 For more information contact: Donna Parsons (360) 725-6210 Kathleen Wilcox (360) 725-6203 Conference Call to support successful Summer Meals programs facilitated by WithinReach "OSPI Summer Meals for Kids Grants"   Thursday, March 21 (11:00am-Noon)    Call 1-877-808-1928   Pin = 0603                                    Featuring OSPI’s Child Nutrition Services Director, Donna Parsons, WithinReach is hosting a call with grant information for any new or returning sponsor who wants to apply for funds to start up or expand their program. Additional Summer Meals Grant Opportunities Feed Your Brain Grants School’s Out Washington offers funding for summer literacy and summer meal programs for kids in rural, high poverty communities. For questions, contact Virgina Eader (206) 336-6915. Learn more and apply The application deadline is April 5, 2012 Food Lifeline Grants Food Lifeline is looking to expand its Kids Cafe Summer Feeding Program, which is part of the Summer Meals Program. If you are located in Western WA and would like more information about this opportunity, contactRebecca Van Maren  (206-545-6600 ex 3606). Learn more and apply The application deadline is April 6, 2012 Summer Meals Resource Toolkit The online toolkit offers information and resources to help schools and community-based organizations start or strengthen a summer meals program with links to grants, forms, outreach materials and more. Check out the Summer Meals Toolkit The WA Summer Meals Partnership sends periodic newsletters to keep statewide partners up-to-date on the latest information about the Summer Meals Program.

Advocacy Update from Food Lifeline: FEDERAL SEQUESTRATION, HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAMS AND A TRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC

ADVOCACY UPDATE    FEDERAL SEQUESTRATION, HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAMS AND A TRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC  As you've likely heard, sequestration took effect at the start of this month, triggering $85 billion in mandatory spending cuts to a variety of programs. Washington state will lose an estimated $500 million at a time when we're already struggling to fund programs providing for the basic needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. The programs being cut include: The Women Infants and Children's Program (WIC), which provides assistance for low-income women, infants and children under five to purchase food; Due to sequestration our elderly neighbors' food bills will rise while their assistance programs are cut. Senior nutrition and Meals on Wheels; Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program; and  Funds that help us safely store and distribute healthy food via The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).  These additional cuts will further weaken the ability of these programs to provide real and immediate assistance to those in need. The bad news doesn't end with the sequester. Other spending programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or federal food stamps), food purchasing for TEFAP, Medicare and Social Security, will not be cut under sequester.However, they could be cut as part of the ongoing budget debate and in bills such as the Farm Bill, which provides funding for anti-hunger and nutrition programs. We'll keep you up to date as decisions about the funding for these programs moves forward. While in Washington, D.C. at the beginning of March, I had the opportunity to speak with our Congressional delegation about the importance of preserving funding for these programs to ensure access to food and help lift our most vulnerable neighbors out of poverty. A special thank you goes to Senator Patty Murray for her leadership on sequestration and for working to protect anti-hunger and nutrition programs. While many others in our congressional delegation were receptive and responsive to protecting these vital social safety net programs, it became even more apparent to me that we must all continue to work together to educate our lawmakers about the tangible benefits of these programs, and advocate for their preservation.  Gina Clark Director of Public Policy  LEGISLATIVE TOWN HALLS Coming up this weekend Have you had a chance to connect with your lawmakers recently? This coming weekend (March 15-17), many legislators are holding town hall meetings in their districts, giving constituents a chance to provide feedback on important issues, like hunger and poverty, for this legislative session. We recommend giving your representatives and senator a phone call or email to see if they plan on holding a meeting. Not sure what district you're in? You can find out here by entering your address and find contact information for your legislators here. For more information about Food Lifeline's legislative priorities, see our legislative agenda. Hunger relief advocates learn about the challenges facing key programs this legislative session. HUNGER ACTION DAY 2013 What happens when 200 anti-hunger advocates descend on Olympia? On Friday, Feb 23rd, hundreds of anti-hunger advocates converged in Olympia to remind their elected officials about the importance of hunger relief programs. Thanks to all of you who attended. Your voices are louder together. Here is a recap of this inspiring day all about working together to end hunger in Western Washington. Take a minute and enjoy this recap of the inspiring day. Maybe you'll even see a photo of yourself or one of your tweets! Food Lifeline feeds hungry people. We stock the shelves and fill the tables of 275 food banks, meal programs and shelters throughout Western Washington. The 35 million pounds of nutritious food we secure from restaurants, grocery stores, farmers and manufacturers feeds 745,000 of our hungry neighbors every year. Find out how you can be a part of ending hunger in Western Washington at www.foodlifeline.org. We value your input. Please share your thoughts and comments at advocacy@fll.org. Food Lifeline thanks MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, for supporting our advocacy program.

Summer Meals mtg next Friday 3/15 in Toppenish

Northwest Harvest, WithinReach, Northwest Community Action Center, and Toppenish Food Bank invite you to a meeting for summer-meal sponsors and community partners who care about feeding kids through the Summer Food Service Program in Yakima County.  

Date: Friday, March 15, 2013Time: 11am-12:30pm (late morning snacks provided)Place: Northwest Community Action Center, 706 Rentschler Lane (map: www.ncactopp.org/aboutcontact.php)

We would like to brainstorm together ways to support your efforts and boost participation at summer meal sites throughout the county. We’d also like to troubleshoot those areas where no summer sponsors or meals have been available.
Please join us and invite other community partners to join the conversation about feeding more kids and increasing outreach this summer.

·        37,140 children in Yakima County rely on free/reduced price school meals during the academic year and we want to make sure these kids have meals when school is out!  

·        During summer 2012, 26,532 fewer meals and snacks were served at summer meals sites than in 2011.

·        Yakima county had 39 summer meal sites in 2012. 12 meal sites were open less than 20 days, 18 meal sites were open 20-39 days, 9 meal sites were open 40 days or longer.

You can find the data on your county at http://www.parenthelp123.org/professionals/food-resources/summer-meals-resource-toolkit

We are members of a statewide Summer Meals Work Group, which also includes OSPI, Children’s Alliance, School’s Out Washington, Washington Food Coalition, and other community-based organizations. This meeting is designed to focus on your county’s programs and to discuss what’s working, what the challenges are, and how we can work together to strengthen the program for this summer. You are welcome to bring additional staff from your organization/school who also work on your summer meal program and can add expertise to the conversation. There will be others attending who have not yet participated in SFSP who will be on-hand to learn from you, as well as help with outreach.

The mandatory OSPI training for summer sponsors is yet to come, on April 16, 2013 at ESD 105 offices in Yakima.

Please RSVP by email or toll-free 866-894-7428, or contact me with questions. Thank you and I hope to see you on March 15!
Please forward this invitation to others who work with children and families in Yakima County.

Thank you, and I hope to see you next week, Elise

Elise DeGooyer | Hunger Response Program ManagerNorthwest Harvest | d 206.923.7423 | tf  866.894.7428 | f  206.267.2179

elised@northwestharvest.org | northwestharvest.org

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