HungerNetOhio #6.14: Advent Matters 2009

"Email conversations about changing conditions causing hunger in Ohio and around the world"

Table of Contents
• I was Hungry
• When Drama becomes Theatric
• Financing Ohio's Future
• Hunger in America--and Ohio
• Hunger Network in Ohio Update
• Letter about supporting this mission and these ministries


Today begins the spiritual journey of Christians toward Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus. During this season of expectation, we are united in renewed hope and determination to overcome many of the dreadful human conditions and injustices which defined his purpose and continued presence among us.

Apologizing for this unpolished delivery, yet we wanted to expedite sharing timely materials.  Especially of immediate significance is "I was hungry," our pilot version of an intended ongoing advocacy calendar of daily reflections.  Beginning with today's commentaries, five members of our board of trustees offer their insights on these seasonal scripture and invitation to consider their implication in our lives.

In advance of posting a PDF copy on our website, the contents of the rest of our latest newsletter are included below. Without usual formatting and graphics, the essential information is here. "Plenty," in its customary form should be available soon both on the internet and, upon request, through limited hard copies for those without stomach for electronic communications or heart for technological challenge.

"When Drama becomes Theatric: Ohio's Budget Imbalance" is the second most urgent article. It traces the evolution of debate over reconciling a nearly one billion dollar shortfall in state revenues. Follow a 12 day hiatus, the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee will this Tuesday again take up where they left off before their Thanksgiving recess.

An announcement also is appended about a statewide tour of State Tax and Budget Workshops sponsored by the Center for Community Solutions and speaking this upcoming and the next biennial finances.

Other items excerpts recent analyses on hunger in this country with reference to Ohio, an update of news about what has been happening within the Hunger Network in Ohio, including a call for volunteers for special projects. We conclude with a letter of appeal for financial support. 

Again, a more cosmetically interesting version of this newsletter with pictures and the usual accoutrements will be available soon. But we didn't want to delay your access to these ripe reflections and opportunities.


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“I WAS HUNGRY…”

For many years, the Hunger Network has provided can wrappers with a month of Scripture references for individual meditation and study, family devotions, congregational gatherings on the theme of overcoming hunger.  These were developed to supplement prayers at mealtime, stimulate discussion of opportunities for reducing poverty, and encourage regular collection of 2 Cents-a-Meal.

We are in the beginning stage of creating an ongoing scriptural devotional calendar on the theme of anti-hunger advocacy. Authored by willing writers from within our network, it will include weekly meditations on the readings in the Revised Common Lectionary, potentially producing a three year cycle of biblical reflections which include centering exercises and suggestions for discussion.

“I was Hungry” will be piloted this Advent season with commentaries by members of the Board of Trustees.  These six reflections are suggested below for use the four weeks before Christmas, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.


ADVENT Reflections: First Week

Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; Thessalonians 3:9 - 4:2; Luke 21:25-36
Writer: Hilde Hildebrandt representing the Southern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

First Sunday/November 29: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Advent begins a period of expectation.  Jeremiah prophesied that there will be a righteous branch spring up who will execute justice.  After this came true with the birth of Jesus, it became our responsibility to execute justice for the poor and hungry.  Who has this responsibility?

Monday/November 30: Jeremiah 33
Discuss ways in which you and I can help the poor and hungry.  How much responsibility does our government have to establish justice for the people?  How do we encourage our legislators to understand the causes of poverty and hunger.

Tuesday/December 1: Psalm 25:1-10
In Psalm 25 we read, “Make me to know your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.” (verse 4)  How can we do this?

Wednesday/December 2: Psalm 25
Verse 10 in Psalm 25 says, “All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness.”  How do we know when we are not on the right path?

Thursday/December 3: Thessalonians 3:9 - 4:2
Paul prays that the Lord make them increase in love for one another and for all people.  In what ways can we show our love for all people?

Friday/December 4: Luke 21:25-36
Luke tells us in chapter 21 about the signs that will signal the second coming of our Lord.  Discuss if we can see these signs at the present time.

Saturday/December 5: Luke 21
Luke continues to tell us in chapter 21:34-36 what we should not be doing and what we should be doing.  List and discuss the things that pertain to your own life.


ADVENT Reflections: Second Week

Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 3:1-6; Psalm 126: 1-2, 2-3,4-5,6; Philippians 1:4-6,8-11
Writer: Virginia Kouchy, representing the Northeast Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The theme of verses chosen for early in Advent is that of looking for the Savior. Perhaps we can consider how we would feel if we had no experience of all the gifts Jesus gives us-what would we yearn and hope for?

Sunday/December 6: Malachi 3:1
This passage of prophecy makes us think of how we need to be changed into the people God intends us to be. Think of a time when you suddenly felt called of do something you had not realized until then was God's will for you.  What offering of ourselves are the offerings pleasing to God?

Monday/December 7: Luke 1:78-79
Think of times where we particularly need to be peaceable in our emotions in order to live in peace.  The light of God is within us now.

Tuesday/December 8: Luke 3:2,3
To be able to understand that true repentance brings complete forgiveness--God's free gift to us--is surely “amazing Grace.”

Wednesday/December 9: Luke 3:4 & 6
We all have work to do to prepare the way of Jesus.  Our human condition often hinders Jesus' pathway within us-we need help to “straighten our ways and lower our mountains of flaws.” Later in Luke 3, John tells us we must share what we have, prefacing Jesus' words when he tells us that we give to him when we give to those in need.

Thursday/December 10: Psalm 126:1 & 2
Let us be and let God know we are truly thankful for his great gifts. He has given us joy.

Friday/December 11: Psalm 126:5
We need to share with others both our sorrows and joys so that we are drawn together more firmly through our prayers for one another.

Saturday/December 12: Philippians 1: 3-5
When praying for friends, let us thank God for them and what it means for us to have people who share their lives with us.  Pray also for our churches to be made up of people willing to be partners in friendship and love.

Paraphrase of prayer of William Barclay

Into our heart, Lord Jesus, come and stay so we may be pure in heart with emotions turned to your love.

Into our minds, Lord Jesus, come and enlighten us so we learn well and truly know you.

Into our bodies, Lord Jesus, come and heal us so our bodies are able and we will serve, not hurt or grieve you.

Come, Lord Jesus, in our times of need; comfort, refresh and cheer, strengthen and guide us, and bring us your peace.


ADVENT Reflections: Third Week

Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
Writer: Jane Hurtt, Representing the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church

The theme this week is two fold--thankfulness and, introduced to John the Baptist who points to the true Savior of the world, Jesus.

Sunday/December 13: Zephaniah 3:15b-16

Fear can be a powerful force in our lives. Who do we look for calming our fears?  Think of someone who has calmed our fears and reassured us. Thank God for them. Bring the Lord into your midst and tell your concerns to him. Be prepared to show gratitude for facing and overcoming your fears.

Monday//December 14: Zephaniah 3:19

Do you have outcasts in your community? Who are they? Sometimes they are hidden from sight. God's love is extended to all. For all are his children. Have you ever been called an outcast or outsider? God includes everyone in his Kingdom. Be thankful we are all part of His loving family.

Tuesday/December 15: Isaiah 12:3
God speaks of the wells of salvation. Can wells of fresh water be the salvation to a community? Think of places in the world where pure fresh water is hard to find. Can you think of a project that is helping people get a healthy supply of  water. Thank God for your safe glass of water.

Wednesday/December 16: Isaiah 12:4

Give thanks to the Lord! Now that Thanksgiving is over, have you forgotten that on each day we should give thanks? Think of your food, heat, warm clothes, people who love you and your health. Where does the Lord come in when you give thanks. Wake up giving thanks for a new day to be loved and cared for by God.

Thursday/December 17: Philippians 4:6

Do not worry! Who does Paul think he is writing to? We are prone to worry about the known and the unknown events in our lives. What about the food for the hungry and housing for the homeless? Will our worry help them? Let us add action to our prayers and see if we can help those who do worry about the lack of basic needs. Today I will do something to help those less fortunate. Jesus said, " Do not worry but rest on the loving promises of God.”

Friday/December 18: Luke 3

The Lord is near! This Advent Season, in what ways is the Lord near? Most of us like the Christmas carols because they bring images of Jesus' birth and God's light to humankind.  Think of a favorite carol or sing it. Reflect on the joy that the gift of Jesus has brought us.

Saturday/December 19: Luke 3:10

The crowds asked "What should we do?” At this time of year there are plenty of appeals for charity. What should we do? We can give easier than receive when we have so much. The Bible says we should be grateful receivers. When is it hard for you to receive? Many people are facing shortages this year. Look for ways you can receive from them as well. Do all gifts have to be packaged?

(Luke 3: II) John says if you have two coats - share one. Do you have an extra coat? Have you ever been without a coat in the cold weather? Have you ever thought that a coat is like a warm blessing to someone in need? Can you share a coat? Think about Jesus' loving arms around the person wearing a coat in cold weather. Does this also give you a warm feeling?  Thank God for your coat.


ADVENT Reflections: Fourth Week

Readings: Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:47-55, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55), Psalm 80:1-7
Writer: Kathleen Zwanziger, representing the Southern Ohio Synod/ Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The theme for this week leading up to the celebration of Christ's birth is this baby's humble background; God loves the poor people of Israel enough to have his son be one of them.  In the Micah passage we are told that Bethlehem is really too little to be counted among the clans of Judah.  In Mary's song in Luke, she acknowledges her “humble state.”  When she, as a pregnant, unmarried girl, visited her cousin in the hill country of Judea, Elizabeth recognized her as “the mother of my Lord.”  In Hebrews we hear that God really takes no pleasure in the burnt offerings and sin offerings but even Jesus came to earth to do God's will.  Psalm 80 emphasizes the omnipotent God who can restore us and save us from our enemies.

Sunday/December 20:  Consider the small village of Bethlehem that is to be the birthplace for one who is “to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2-5a).   Jerusalem, the capital city, is where one might expect a great ruler to be born.  Even the imagery of the one who will “shepherd his flock” emphasizes the insignificant rural location.  Can you think of some insignificant places that have come to be famous because someone who became important was born there?  Which place would people likely have more access to a greater variety (and perhaps amount) of food:  the capital city or a small village?  Why?  Find the country of Israel on a map or globe.

Monday/December 21:  Luke 1:46-55 is known as “Mary's Song” - her response to the angel's announcement to her that she would become mother to the Savior.  In her song Mary recognizes her humble origin and that “the Mighty One has done great things for me.”  He has “filled the hungry with good things.”  Could “hungry” mean more than needing food?  Think of someone who came from humble beginnings to be an important leader.  Do you have humble beginnings?  What are your dreams for the future?  What can you do now to show how God has done great things for you?  In what ways could you help fill others with “good things”?  What might some of these “good things” be?  Choose one or two to do or give this Christmas.

Tuesday/December 22: Hebrews 10:5-10 talks of a time years after the birth of Jesus.  As a young man Jesus knew that God did not desire sacrifices and offerings but for Jesus-and us-to do God's will.  Might Jesus have thought God's will for him was to help the poor people because his family lived in a small town-where he may have seen poor and hungry people or even experienced poverty and hunger himself?  What can you do to prepare yourself to do God's will?  What do you think God's will for you might be - in a time of financial difficulty for many people?  How could you carry out God's will for you this Christmas?  Try it.

Wednesday/December 23: At the time Mary lived, females were not very important.  Imagine what it might have been like for Mary, likely a young teenager when she became pregnant:  an unimportant female in an insignificant village in a small country ruled by Rome - and by all visible signs pregnant with no husband.  Imagine the rumors in her hometown-an unmarried girl, expecting a baby.  How might you feel in those circumstances?  Could you easily believe what the Lord, through an angel, said?  Could you be as happy for someone in those circumstances as Elizabeth was?  What joy Mary must have felt, hearing the blessing her cousin gave her. What was the result of Mary's acceptance of God's will for her?  Show someone acceptance or love through a gesture or act of kindness this Christmas.


ADVENT Reflections: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Readings:
Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-4 (15-20)
and
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14
Writer: Judy Canan, representing the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio

Thursday/December 24: The Christmas Eve lessons all point to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and the hope He brings to a waiting world. Isaiah says it so beautifully: "For a child has been born to us, a son given to us; authority rests on his shoulders." By our baptismal vows the authority to seek and serve Christ in all persons rests on our shoulders. We cannot shirk our duty to feed the hungry and helps the least among us. To do so would dishonor the Prince of Peace.

Friday/December 25: Almost all cities and towns have organizations that provide food and gift baskets at Christmas, but what happens after the holiday? Many people are still left to wonder where their next meal is coming from, or how they will pay their rent or utilities. The best way we can honor the birth of our Savior is to continue to advocate for those who voices are not always heard.

(With special appreciation to Jim Miner, representing the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, for his initiative shaping concept and advancing this devotional resource)


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When Drama becomes Theatric: Ohio's Budget Imbalance

The Ohio biennial budget for 2010-11 is currently about one billion dollars “in the red.”  Although passing what was a constitutionally require balanced budget in July, it was based on a faulty assumption that revenues generated by video slot machines in race tracks were permissible. That premise was later corrected by the Ohio Supreme Court. In September it ruled that, because this form of gambling is currently not sanctioned in the State, a constitutional change would require a referendum.  Under this judgment, the Governor and legislators were faced with finding addition monies from other sources. 

In October, Governor Strickland proposed postponing the last of a five year tax cut which would generate enough to fill that gap. The Ohio House of Representatives, with support from all 54 Democrats and two Republicans, passed this plan along with legislator pay cuts.  The bill, HB 318 has since been under consideration in the Senate Finance Committee. With a Republican majority and disinclination toward raising (or, in this case, not receiving breaks on) taxes, the bill has failed to move forward.

Needing just 17 votes to pass and with a 21-12 advantage, Republicans on the Committee last week offered a counter proposal which, while allowing 2/3 of the tax reduction to be postponed, gleans the remainder of the money to balance the budget through a variety of sources: 

o $200 million from casino licensing fees that owners will pay as a result of the passage of state Issue 3.
o $10 million from allowing oil and gas drilling at Salt Fork State Park
o $50 million in savings from prison-sentencing changes
o $30 million in transfers of liquor profits.
o And the plan wrestles $30 million from the Housing Trust Fund that helps pay for homeless shelters, housing programs and home repairs for seniors.

Doing the math, currently the full 21 percent means that an Ohio family of four earning $60,000 would pay $1,389 in state income tax this year.  HB 318, the plan that Strickland pushed through the Democrat-dominated House a bill, would rescinds the final 4.2 percent of the five-year, 21 percent income tax cut enacted by Republicans and effective in 2005. That same family would pay $78 more a year, or $1,467, if the 4.2 percent is rescinded as Strickland wants.  Under the Senate plan, the costs would be $1,445, or $56 more a year.

This means the debate is over $22!

The irony of the debate is this proposal is supported by only two of the nine Republicans on the Finance Committee and six of the 21 members of the majority party in the senate. Now, without support from any of the four Democrats on the Finance Committee or any of their minority party members in the senate, this plan is stalled as well.  Intended as a compromise between the two parties, the amendment seems at this moment rather to have alienated nearly everybody.

So what's next? Finance Committee Chair Sen. John Carey reiterated at the end of this week that “the bill has to be bipartisan.”  After a 12 day holiday respite-without-resolution, he plans to hold committee hearings again next week on HB 318.  Asked about the heated rhetoric around the bill, Carey said,” “It's important to take the ego out of the deliberations. People expect us to sit down and do what is right.”

Hopefully that will happen sooner than later and with more harmony and less dissonance.

(Although not taking an official position on HB 318 or this amendment, the Hunger Network in Ohio discourages any action that would further erode support for human services which have already been devastated by previous cuts.  Check alerts and updates: www.HungerNetOhio.org)


Article References/Links:

“Tax tantrum makes Ohio Senate Republicans look pretty hypocritical” http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/11/tax_tantrum_makes_ohio_senate.html

“Senators shun peace in budget battle”
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/politics/senators-shun-peace-in-budget-battle--414773.html

“State budget battle rages: Leaders struggle to fill $851 million gap”
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091121/NEWS01/911220378/1055/NEWS/State+budget+battle+rage

(Edtl) “Ohio left in the lurch: State senators exit for extended holiday instead of fixing budget”
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2009/11/22/dontgo.ART_ART_11-22-09_G4_PVFNUAT.html?sid=101

“Senate Republicans would punish the people to save their jobs” http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2009/11/22/halcol22.ART_ART_11-22-09_G5_LTFNUHD.html?sid=101

“Partial tax-cut delay: GOP lacks votes for own state budget fix”
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/11/19/copy/BUDGET_BATTLE.ART_ART_11-19-09_A1_HDFNKB4.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

(Edtl) "Still nothing: Senate Republicans have fiddled long enough. Time for a legitimate compromise on the state budget"
http://www.ohio.com/editorial/opinions/78036127.html


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Financing Ohio's Future: Human Services in Tough Times

This is a statewide tour State Tax and Budget Workshops is sponsored by the Center for Community Solutions. Presentations will cover strategies for maintaining human service and education spending in SFY 2010-2011 budget, the effects of the 2005 tax changes on state revenues, and challenges for the SFY 2012-2013 state budget.  They will identify the tough decisions facing Ohio decision makers and explain how your organization can become more effective in the advocacy process. Participants also will be given training in strategic advocacy to affect these decisions.

The workshop is FREE. Registration is required: Eboney Williams at ewilliams@CommunitySolutions.com; Questions: David Howard at dhoward@CommunitySolutions.com

December 3: Mahoning Valley; 2:30-4:30 p.m.; The D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitors Center
December 8: Toledo; 12:00-2:00 p.m.; Emergency Management Services
December 10: Cleveland; 10:00 a.m.-Noon; Center for Families and Children
December 15: Columbus; 2:30-4:30 p.m.; LifeCare Alliance


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Hunger  in America--and Ohio
(Commentary about the extent of economic desperation during this, otherwise, moment for thanksgiving)


White House, USDA Address Hunger

Last week, the White House launch the United We Serve: Feed A Neighbor initiative to help combat hunger this winter. The new initiative raises awareness of hunger issues and equips American with the resources to mobilize against the hunger crisis, from Thanksgiving Day through Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, January 18. The initiative comes at a time when hunger in America is at the highest it has been since 1995. The number of households experiencing food insecurity jumped more than 11% from 13 million households in 2007 to 17 million in 2008, and that an estimated 1.1 million children lived in households that experienced hunger multiple times throughout the year. Additionally, the need for emergency food assistance is up 30% compared to last year and over half of the nation's food banks have had to turn people away. The Administration has taken decisive steps to alleviate hunger by providing a significant increase in nutrition assistance benefits for the 36.5 million people (1 in 5 Americans, half of whom are children) through the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program--SNAP, formerly “food stamps”.  (November 24, 2009: http://www.serve.gov/)


Staggering Increase in Statistics Confirm Escalating Hunger Crisis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service (USDA) reported today that 49 million Americans, including nearly 17 million children, are food insecure. The 2009 report on Household Food Insecurity in the United States paints an alarming picture of the pervasiveness of hunger in our nation. This is an increase of 36 percent over the numbers released one year by the USDA, which found that 36.2 million American were at risk of hunger. While the numbers vary geographically, some food banks are reporting increases of more than 50 percent in requests for emergency food assistance over a year prior. Escalating unemployment rate and the number of working-poor lead us to believe that the number of people facing hunger will continue to rise significantly over the coming year.  Many of those people are likely to be in need of our services now or in the future. (November 16, 2009: http://www.serve.gov/)


New York Times editorial recommending more federal action on hunger

A recently released Department of Agriculture study shows that a record number of households had trouble getting sufficient food at one time or another last year.  About a third of struggling households had what the researchers called “very low food security,” meaning that members of the household skipped meals, cut portions or passed on food at some point during the year because they lacked money. The other two-thirds managed to feed themselves by eating cheaper or less varied foods, relying on government aid like food stamps or resorting to food pantries and soup kitchens, which have been seeing heavier and heavier traffic in recent years. Families with inadequate resources typically feed the children first, shielding them from hardship as much as possible. But the new data showed that the number of households in which children were exposed to “very low food security” rose to 506,000 from 323,000 in 2007.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/opinion/18wed2.html


Hunger has Ohio firmly in its grip, stats show

More than 607,000 Ohio households -- 13.3 percent -- struggled to feed themselves last year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's the highest rate of "food insecurity" since the federal government started to survey hunger in 1995. It also mirrors Ohio's 13.1 percent poverty rate.  According to the report, those forced to skip meals, scale back and go to bed hungry in the past three years -- a subset identified as having "very low food security" -- spiked by more than a third in Ohio. To cope, families are skipping meals, eating less-diverse foods, seeking food stamps and other assistance and visiting food pantries. (http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/11/17/copy/food_insecure.ART_ART_11-17-09_A1_4IFMTGD.html?adsec=politics&sid=101)


Feeding America conducted survey of food bank. Following are key findings from the survey:

o Rising need for emergency food is nearly universal - 99% of all participating food banks reported increases in demand for emergency food assistance over the last year.
o The average increase in demand across the network from summer 2008 to summer 2009 was 30%.
o High unemployment across the U.S. is a critical factor in the rising need for emergency food. Local economic circumstances, such as plant and business closings, have a significant impact on rising need for emergency food. Other factors that food banks cite as very important to rising demand in their communities include housing costs (49%) and health care costs (46%).
o Food banks report that increasing demand is particularly driven by more first_time users of the food assistance system (98% of food banks) and more newly unemployed (92%).
o Existing clients need assistance more frequently than before, according to 72% of food banks.
o More than half of food banks (56%) also report that they are seeing more children as clients. (September 2009: http://www.oashf.org/)


What are the implications of high hunger rates?

The ability to obtain enough food for an active, healthy life is the most basic of human needs. Food insecure households cannot achieve this fundamental element of well-being. They are the ones in our country most likely to be hungry, undernourished, and in poor health, and the ones most in need of assistance. A high number of food insecure households in a nation with our economic plenty means that the fruits of our economy, and the benefits of public and private programs for needy people, are not yet reaching millions of low-income people who are at great risk. (Updated 11/16/09: http://www.frac.org/html/hunger_in_the_us/hunger_index.html)


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Hunger Network in Ohio Updates
What's happening in this Organization and how you can help

Tuesday at the Statehouse

Meeting with legislators most weeks, we are closing in on our target of having visited at least once every one of the 132 legislative offices this year. We have focused primarily upon the budget and maintain funding for emergency food, adequate staffing of county jobs and family services, and continuation of Benefit Banks.  Most of our contacts in recent months have been with 31 members of the Finance and Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives and 14 members of the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee.  We have been regularly accompanied by board members, judicatory leaders, clergy and lay persons from congregations, and food pantry operators.  The presence and testimonies of food pantry volunteers and clients has brought a greater sense of persuasion to these conversations and responsiveness from legislators. We welcome you to join us.
 

HungerNetOhio

Email public policy alerts have been our primary method of encouraging advocacy on behalf of the most desperate Ohioans.  We continue to add advocates, with over 200 new addresses this past year.  Shared information and energy within our network of comparably committed human services organizations has strengthen our impact.


CaM

Underwritten largely through the modest but effective 2 Cents-a-Meal program, we have been blessed by an increasing number of persons within congregations supplementing their daily prayers at meals with the added spiritual discipline of reading Scripture, discussing hunger issues, and collecting two pennies from each person each day.  We suggest half of everything generated go to local, more immediate and tangible ministries while the other half is devoted to remedying root causes of hunger and providing systemic, long-term, preventative solutions.


Advocacy Devotions

Within this newsletter, we are piloting a devotional calendar based upon a three year cycling lectionary of biblical verses and commentaries. Starting this Advent season, we are drawing upon home grown writers (members of our Board of Trustees) to reflect  upon assigned scripture and suggest implications for ministry among “the least of these…our brothers, sisters, and children in need. In the year ahead, we plan to offer similar devotions during other liturgical seasons in 2010, with the long-term intent of covering every week of the year, perhaps beginning in 2011.


Volunteer Opportunities

Hovering between the limitations of a part-time staff and yet unboundaried aspirations for making a difference, we depend upon and are blessed by the services of volunteers.  Here are some of the primary roles for which we seek compassionate, committed, and competent volunteers: 

Congregational Liaison. Our efforts are exponentially enhanced by the involvement of churches.  Our primary means for engaging them has been identifying individuals with special commitment to reducing suffering and willingness to engage other members of their congregations. Our ability to find these “point persons” is crucial to our effectiveness as advocates (persuading greater numbers of people to get involved in public policy decisions) and increasing financial support (through participating in 2 Cents-a-Meal).   So we could use help with expanding the number and development of Congregational Contact Persons.

Advocacy Developer. By mobilizing persons across the State within their legislative districts, we will be able to more effectively approach their legislators locally and/or Columbus (as in Tuesday at the Statehouse). We will enhance our ministry through having someone to help with the recruitment and support for District Advocacy Coordinators.


New Judicatory Partners

We are grateful to embrace two new judicatory partners this year.  The Central-Southeast Association of the United Church of Christ and East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church have joined with the Hunger Network in Ohio (see the entire list of judicatory participants on the back page).  Rev. Forrest Hoppe, Association Minister, represents the CSE Assn as we seek other UCCs on our board.  Mike and Kathy Hardy, who were members-at-large, now represent the EOCUMC along with Belinda Wing, who also serves as the Conference Chair of their Church and Society Committee.  We continue to seek partnership with other churches in the state.


Board Officers

Rev. Fred Kinne, representing the West Ohio Conference UMC, is our new Chair with Vice Chair Janice Smart of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, Secretary Kathleen Zwanziger of the Southern Ohio Synod-ELCA, and Treasurer Sandy Wycoff .  Rev. Jim Miner, who was Chair of the board for five years, has transitioned in a new and gratefully accepted position as Chair of Fund Raising


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Letter about supporting this mission and these ministries
HungerNetOhio@aol.com (email)

Advent, 2009

It is hard to imagine a time when the voices of realism, compassion, and social responsibility have been more urgently needed in our public discourse!

The year 2009 has had no shortage of issues that have required deep thoughtfulness and courage on the part of citizens and elected officials in Ohio.  The preparation and adoption of the biennial budget dominated the first half of the year, a task which entailed the elimination of more than $3 billion from the programs, services, and institutions of our state.  Overshadowing the second half of the year have been several state-wide ballot issues that bear directly on food and the social well being of our people, and at the national level the debate on health care impacts each one of us.

The Hunger Network in Ohio for more than 30 years has worked to represent the voice of the churches to advocate for public policy decisions in the Statehouse and in Washington which will address fairly and generously the needs of the poor in our state - particularly the need for adequate food.  We do this by educating our elected officials through regular visits by our executive director and volunteers (Tuesdays at the Statehouse) and by providing information and resources to a network of church members across the state so they themselves can approach legislators (HungerNetOhio E-Mail Alerts*).

And we model the best stewardship we can.  Our modest budget supports the work of our part-time director and all our programs.  We use telephone conference calls and we gather people together by e-mail, both to conserve their time and to reduce our carbon footprint.

We are entirely dependent on the faithful support of our network members and their churches.  And so we ask that during this season of giving and thanksgiving you consider a generous gift to support this important work.  The Hunger Network in Ohio is a 501(c) (3) organization.  Checks may be made out to the Hunger Network in Ohio and mailed to the address above.

We are deeply grateful for your partnership over the years and thank you for your commitment to ending hunger in Ohio.



Fred Kinne
Board Chair

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