For several decades, ending hunger has been our top legislative priority. During that time, we’ve learned a lot and grown in skill and determination. What is unique this year is that our efforts have a receptive administration.  Our advocacy is still urgently needed:  lobbyists for every special interest group are promoting their own priorities – at the expense of needs like development aid or food stamps.  Here’s the great news: if we do our part, we have a good chance of achieving much or even most of what we seek!

Contacting an elected official: Many people don’t write or e-mail their elected officials because they find it intimidating, or wonder if it makes any difference.  Yet, if we don’t do so, our point of view will be undercounted.  The solution:  A simple 4-6 sentence note, written in 8 to 12 minutes.  Begin by thinking about what approach might be most helpful to your particular member of Congress (e.g. thanks for past leadership).  Center your note on what you want your official to do.  Add a reason or two and perhaps a statistic.  State clearly what you want and ask for a response.  If you get inspired and write more, fine. 

Examples of notes to elected officials.

Dear Senator Smith,
Members of our church are discussing the situation of poor and hungry people in other countries.
I would like to see you work to retain or expand the $4.2 billion increase in International Affairs funding for programs addressing hunger and extreme poverty.  And please take leadership to strengthen the effectiveness and coordination of the means for delivering that aid along the lines of last year’s Global Poverty Act (S. 2433). I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Mary L. Public

Dear Representative Jones,
The continued fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and Gaza reminds us that military options have grave limits in dealing with conflicts.  Thus, I was dismayed to see pressure to add tens of billions for the military, but only a fraction of that for International Affairs programs that address extreme poverty and hunger in the world – key underlying causes of conflict.
I hope you will work to contain military spending and expand programs that reduce violence in the world.  Specifically, work for at least the $4.2 billion increase in poverty-related foreign aid in the budget resolution approved in April.  And push at a minimum for the key features of last year’s Global Poverty Act (S. 2433) to strengthen our the effectiveness of our aid. Thanks for listening – I’d appreciate a reply on what you’re doing about these concerns.

Your constituent,
    John Q. Citizen

   

Make the most of your letter: Send it to other members of Congress. And send it to a local newspaper, too!  Newspapers publish letters in part by how many they receive on a particular issue.  Even if your letter isn’t chosen it can help another on the issue get printed – encouraging readers to learn more and take action.  We’d also love to see a copy:  lpf@ecunet.org  1710 11^th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. For more information, see:  www.lutheranpeace.org  www.lutheranpeace.blogspot.com  www.bread.org    5-09 lpf