Writing to Congress on behalf of children

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2 MIN READ
Susan La-Rose selects milk for her daughters at the food pantry at Catholic Charities' Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Community Center in Harlem as volunteer Aubrey Woods looks on.

By Margaret Tran

On a recent Wednesday morning, roughly 100 clients gathered at Catholic Charities’ Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Community Center in Harlem to pick up their weekly bag of groceries from the food pantry.

But before the food pantry opened, Lizaura “Lizzie” German, a program manager at Catholic Charities, conducted an Offering of Letters.

Bread’s 2015 Offering of Letters: Feed Our Children is focused on ensuring Congress reauthorizes the child nutrition bill. The legislation is set to expire in the fall.

“In the U.S., 1 in 5 children struggles with hunger, and in New York City, it’s even worse at 1 in 4 children. We can write letters to Congress on their behalf,” German said. German is a Bread for the World Hunger Justice Leader. HJLs, as they are affectionately referred to at Bread, are young faith leaders and clergy who come together to form intentional partnerships and community with Bread to advance the work of ending hunger in our world.

As an HJL, German is determined to help Catholic Charities clients find their voices.  She definitely made an impression on Susan La-Rose. La Rose was so moved by German’s plea that she leapt up to address everyone in the room.

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