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Local Events Help Activists Communicate with Congress

Members of Congress are currently considering proposals for the next farm bill, the subject of Bread for the World's 2007 Offering of Letters, Seeds of Change. The task of renewing the bill is complex both because of the legislation's varied components – everything from commodity payments to the Food Stamp Program to conservation – and the significant impact its policies have on so many people, both in the United States and in developing countries.

Town hall meetings and listening sessions help members of Congress learn about the concerns of their constituents – including their priorities for the farm bill. During the Easter congressional recess, many Bread for the World activists attended farm bill meetings, helping to bring hunger and poverty to the attention of their members of Congress.

Three discussions especially for farm and rural policy specialists were organized in Michigan by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Bread for the World activists received invitations to attend all three sessions, held in East Lansing, Frankenmuth and Muskegon.

Each meeting offered an opportunity to discuss Bread for the World's recommendations for farm bill reforms with Sen. Stabenow as well as a group of 50-75 people well versed in agriculture issues.

"Sen. Stabenow very much wanted to hear from people what was working, suggestions for improvements, unintended consequences people either were experiencing or thought might occur if some reported changes were implemented," said BFW member Terry O'Donnell, a participant in the Frankenmuth meeting. "The Michigan League for Human Services, participants in the Food Stamp Program, and a newly organized farmers' market association joined Bread for the World in emphasizing nutrition programs and the need for more rural development assistance to help the family farms."

Johanna Balzer, who is a Bread for the World member, farm owner, and staff member of Church World Service, attended the East Lansing meeting. "It was exciting to see many folks present from land conservancies, environmental concerns and nutrition programs/advocacy," she said. "I explained which denominations and groups were represented in the Religious Working Group on the Farm Bill, and I related comments made by other speakers to the farm bill principles adopted by Bread for the World and other members of Religious Working Group. Afterwards, several people came up to say how pleased they were to have the religious community represented, and Sen. Stabenow made a point of greeting me."

"I found it very inspiring that such capable activists took time away from work to raise our concerns with Sen. Stabenow," said Bread for the World Senior Regional Organizer Larry Hollar. "Bread for the World is fortunate to have a lot of very well-informed members."

As the farm bill debate continues in Congress, there will be more local opportunities to meet with senators and representatives as well as during Lobby Day in June. For assistance in preparing for district meetings, please contact your Bread for the World regional organizer.

Bread for the World Materials Available in Spanish

Bread for the World has recently published a Spanish-language guide to our 2007 Offering of Letters, Seeds of Change: Help Farmers. End Hunger. In addition to an introduction to Bread for the World and our mission, the resource,Semillas de Cambio: Ayude a los Agricultores. Elimina el Hambre. Ofrenda de Cartas del ano 2007, features:

• Biblical basics for the struggle to end hunger in God's world
• An overview of this year's campaign
• A list of the farm bill principles that are at the core of the Seeds of Change message to Congress
• A timeline of important events in the history of the Food Stamp Program
• Questions and Answers
• How to Plan an Offering of Letters
• A 15-minute DVD dubbed in Spanish

Semillas de Cambio includes additional information on topics that may be of particular interest to Latinos of faith and conscience, including farm bill provisions that affect Mexico and Brazil, the eligibility of legal immigrants to the United States for the Food Stamp Program, and pesticide dangers facing agricultural workers. 

Semillas de Cambio may be ordered from our online store. The Web site also offers bulletin inserts and a guide to the legislative process in Spanish.

Ricardo Moreno, Bread for the World’s Organizer for Latino Relations, provides additional information and resources to Spanish-speaking BFW members and others interested in our work. Please contact Ricardo at 1-800-315-3239 or email him at rmoreno@bread.org.

Petecost: From Inattention to Rapt Attention

By Amy Booker-Hirsch

I read the passage in English. Then Maria, from Paraguay, read the passage in Spanish. Twitters arose in the congregation. Andreas, from Germany, also read the Scripture. More twittering. It was a bit disconcerting to us! After all, we sat through worship every Sunday listening to words in a tongue we did not understand. But in a way we understood very well what was being said. It was Pentecost in Bolenge, Zaire (now Congo), and the pastor wanted the people to experience Acts 2:1-21 in different tongues.

I had done the same thing in the States, that is, read the Scriptures in different languages. But what a difference it made when I was in the minority. It was quite humbling to experience that twittering. In retrospect, it was like God's presence at Sinai for me. Inspired speaking and hearing happened in that place, changing my usual inattention into rapt attention as the Spirit spoke to me.

What does all this mean? It was a question that the amazed and perplexed people asked on the day of the first Pentecost, a question that we all need to ask again in our own day. May inattention to the Spirit become rapt attention to the Spirit.

I attended a Bread for the World national gathering in June 2001 in Washington, DC. The prophetic words I heard and the relationships I experienced moved me. No longer would I be about "business as usual" in my North American mindset. I heard from Africans, Europeans, South Americans, North Americans — each in his or her own tongue—and I understood the Spirit. The modern-day prophets prophesied about drought, hunger, and disease, and described what I could do about them. They urged me to "repent," to turn around and go the other way. For me, that meant a lifestyle change and a Spirit-change. I admitted that I had become too attached to my house and car. I fasted more, rode my bike and took the bus more often, and spent time with my local Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, where many people from across the globe gathered.

I hope everyone can have a "Pentecost" experience, whether big or little, dramatic or quiet. Be open to the Spirit in your life. Pentecost is a liturgical season that lends itself to focus on this "Person" of the Trinity. In all you do, hit your knees, seek humility, and "let go." Attention to the Spirit will change your life.

Amy Booker-Hirsch, an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), first learned about Bread for the World as a college student at Arizona State University. This excerpt is taken from Hunger for the Word: Lectionary Reflections on Food and Justice (Year A). Hunger for the Word: Years A, B and C are all available for order from Bread for the World's online store.

Seeking Justice for Farmers in Developing Countries

Second in a series of articles about hunger and the farm bill

Bread for the World's 2007 Offering of Letters, Seeds of Change, calls for reforms in the U.S. farm bill that will make our policies more equitable. Sometimes overlooked in the farm bill discussions are struggling farmers in developing countries who have no voice in shaping farm policy. Yet for many, the decisions of the U.S. Congress will make the difference between sufficient food and hunger.

This is because the farm bill contains provisions for making commodity payments to U.S. farmers producing specific crops. The payments are intended to buffer producers against rapid changes in the price they can get for their crops. But most economists agree that extensive commodity payment programs stimulate over-production of these crops, including cotton, rice and wheat, which artificially lowers global prices. Developing countries cannot afford to support their farmers, so these farmers must live on what the market gives them.

 "Farmers have difficulty selling our goods in our own country, because we cannot compete with the low prices of imported products from the United States and Europe," said Ibrahima Coulibaly, a farmer and educator in Mali in West Africa, where 80 percent of the population work as farmers.  "I have seen how this hurts people in poverty… We work to improve these farm policies. I am grateful to hear that, through Bread for the World's Seeds of Change, you're doing the same in the United States."

Through Seeds of Change, we are urging Congress to identify and adopt policies that will reduce the trade-distorting effects of our current commodity payment system while also ensuring that U.S. farmers, particularly those of modest means, have the means to effectively manage their risks. Then, farmers who work hard to grow crops in countries like Mali will be able to sell their products at prices that will feed and educate their children.

Monthly Support Is His "Right Way to Give"

Charles Roth feels strongly about the need to help hungry people. He is involved in local social ministry programs through his church and leads Offerings of Letters.

"Bread for the World is a wonderful organization," says Roth, "because it realizes the need to focus on immediate needs and on helping people sustain themselves in the long run. Bread for the World creates the long-term effect."

Roth also supports Bread for World financially. "I always felt the need to share my "treasure" with the hungry. It took me nearly a lifetime to finally become organized and intentional about it. And it took courage for me to start it. And it takes commitment for me to stick with it."

Charles says he draws inspiration from the Biblical story of the man in the sycamore tree who met with Jesus and then gave half his money to the poor.

He is also inspired by the many who write letters. One year, four local congregations wrote letters to Congress on the same day. Following an ecumenical service at the end of the day, Roth brought more than 1,100 letters to the post office.

Roth participates in Bread for the World's Baker's Dozen program, using his credit card to make automatic monthly donations. "It just seems like it's the right way for me to make sure that I'm making a regular, supportive contribution to the work," he says. "This is something that happens even when it's not in the forefront of my mind."

"I never hesitate to tell people about my work with Bread for the World or my participation in the Baker's Dozen program," he says. "With Baker's Dozen, every month I can just be glad that I've done it."

In Wisconsin, Ready to “Be Dunn with Hunger”

In Menomonie, WI, Bread for the World member Julie McNaughton looks for every angle to educate her community on hunger and advocacy.

Approaching 30 years as a BFW activist, McNaughton recently organized "Let's Be Dunn with Hunger" info parties at the public library, local food pantry and a church. In Dunn County, where Menomonie is located, one in eight people is at risk of hunger. Guests at these parties watched the Offering of Letters video, Seeds of Change: Help Farmers. End Hunger., as they learned how improvements to the farm bill can help hungry people in their communities and farmers in nearby rural areas.

McNaughton and the Menomonie BFW group also organize an annual fundraising event, "Empty Bowls." For $15, attendees receive a handmade ceramic bowl and a homemade soup lunch. Letter-writing materials are available, and many of the 400 participants write to their members of Congress about hunger legislation. Proceeds from the event are split between Bread for the World and the Interfaith Food Pantry of Dunn County.

Between these events and annual participation in an October CROP Walk, McNaughton has developed a local mailing list of 900 names. She sends out a quarterly update and educational mailing, letting people know what actions they can take to fight hunger.  She also makes a point of keeping her local media informed of all these events, generating an impressive array of attention on hunger. 

McNaughton first learned about the importance of advocacy years ago in her work with the League of Women Voters.

"They used to have a saying: Keep your vision, but do what's legislatively possible," McNaughton recalls.

She's still on board with that sentiment. Just before Easter, McNaughton met with her member of Congress, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), at the congressman's listening session in his home district. She thanked him for supporting an increase to poverty-focused development assistance in the budget, and asked about his plans for the farm bill.

Her efforts are making a difference in Menomonie and beyond.

"At one of the sessions, we had a representative from a local Farmer-to-Farmer group. They make connections between farmers in Wisconsin and farmers in Guatemala to build relationships and make both sides strong. This person read Bread for the World's materials on the farm bill and said, 'That's what we're trying to do, too.'"

"Connecting with other people, and working ecumenically – it's the way to increase your efforts."

Many thanks to Julie and Menomonie members for their steadfast and creative activism!

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Urge your senators and representative to improve our nation’s farm policy so that it strengthens U.S. rural communities and better serves hungry people in the United States, farmers of modest means, and farmers in developing countries struggling to sell their crops and feed their families.

Unsure who your member of Congress is?  Find contact information for returning and newly-elected members.

Points to make:

• Our current farm policy does little to help farmers and other rural residents of modest means, while providing large payments to those farmers with large farms growing certain crops.
  
  
• Our current farm policy hurts farmers and rural communities in developing countries by helping to keep global prices of certain commodities artificially low.
  
  
• Improvements in the farm bill are needed to help the 35 million people who live in U.S. households that struggle to put food on the table.

U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Capitol Switchboard: 202/224-3121

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