Advocate
Ask Governor Cuomo To Adopt a State Anti-Hunger Action Plan
According to Forbes, New York State now has 62 billionaires, who have a combined net worth of more than $228 billion. Yet, according to USDA, the number of New York state residents suffering from hunger has increased 56% over the past six years! Fully 2 .5 million New Yorkers, one in seven residents, can’t afford enough food.
Yet the State’s greatest tools to fight hunger – the federally-funded nutrition assistance programs – are absurdly underutilized. Due to State-imposed barriers, a third of New Yorkers eligible for food stamps aren’t receiving them, and four out of ten children who receive school lunches, don’t get school breakfasts.
What You Can Do:
Contact Governor Cuomo and ask him to immediately implement a state anti-hunger action plan that:
1) Ensures that eligible families, and particularly low-income working families, are better able to access food stamps.
2) Eliminates New York City’s practice of finger-imaging food stamps applicants. (NYC is one of only three places in the country that requires such finger-printing. Even Texas eliminated the practice, which deters qualified families from applying, but fails to prevent fraud.)
3) Boosts the implementation of Breakfast in the Classroom programs that dramatically increase the number of kids guaranteed a free, nutritious, breakfast every morning.
Call the Governor at: 518- 474-8390
Weigh in with him on line at: http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Or write: The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York State, NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224
Speak Out to Save SNAP and Social Service Programs
News in Brief: The House FY 2012 Budget Resolution seeks to turn SNAP (food stamps) into a block grant, cut its funding by $127 billion over ten years, and make drastic changes and cuts to many other safety net programs. NYCCAH is partnering with national organizations during Congress’ April recess to have people call in and urge Senators to reject the House proposal.
Spring Recess Actions: Congress remains on recess through May 2nd. This is the perfect time to engage them and tell them what you think!
1) Call your Senators about the negative impact the House Budget and SNAP proposals would have on the local community.
Senator Kirsten Gilibrand: (202) 224-4451 (D.C. Office) Senator Charles Schumer: (202) 224-6542 (D.C. Office)Message: Urge your Members of Congress to oppose any legislation or proposals that would change the basic structure of, or slash funding for SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, Medicare, and other investments that help Americans to be economically secure. Members must reject these extreme proposals--they would weaken federal protections for those Americans with the greatest needs and harm the society as a whole.
2) Find out if your Senators and Representatives have any town halls, community discussions, or forums scheduled during recess. If they do – make plans to attend!
Help us Spread the News about Summer Nutrition Programs
It’s the last day of the school year. The school principal greets students in the hallway and asks, ‘Ready for summer vacation?’ ‘No,’ answered the boy. ‘Why?’ asks the principal. The child shrugs his shoulders, looks down and replies timidly, ‘Because I’ll be hungry.’ This is a true story about a child in Virginia and it could also happen to your community this summer. But it doesn’t need to happen at all.*
Although over 31 million children nationwide eat lunch at school during the school year, many of these children face hunger when schools are closed during the summer months. People all over the country are coming up with creative solutions and partnerships to make sure children don’t go hungry – now, you can be one of them!
Help NYCCAH increase the awareness of Summer Meals sites around the City by helping spread the word! We are going to kick off the summer with an innovative and exciting outreach effort – check back soon for details on how you can help us!
