|
Email conversations about "ending hunger in Ohio through changing conditions which cause poverty"
| TO |
Advocates for reducing hunger |
| FROM |
Hunger Network in Ohio |
| ABOUT |
Papermates on Paper Plates |
The Hunger Network in Ohio is an advocate for public and private community groups, along with nonprofit statewide organizations, that providing food for the hungry. These includes local church and ecumenical outreach ministries across the State and organizations like Childrens Hunger Alliance and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF).
We regularly visit legislators to encourage state support for providers of supplementary meals and emergency food for suffering Ohioans.
During this season of hope, desperate Ohioans struggle to provide sufficient and nutritious food for their families (see Wall Street Journal article referenced below). In anticipation of severe restriction on next year's State budget, a public policy initiative has been launched using paper plates and pens to ensure that their voices are heard. Through the "Paper Plate Project" of the OASHF, those in need are writing to local, state and federal leaders about the difficulties they face each day in this tough economy.
The goal of the project is to collect more than 50,000 plates to show state leaders the importance of programs like food assistance and the emergency food network. So far, 9,000+ have been collected.
Consider how you and your church and/or other groups in your sphere of influence can contribute to this effort.
If you've a story to tell:
Fill out a virtual paper plate to share.
If your church or organization wants to become involved:
Fill out an order form.
(Both are available: www.paperplateproject.org)
OASHF is Ohio's largest charitable response to hunger, representing Ohio's 12 Feeding America/Second Harvest foodbanks and 3,000 member charities including food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. OASHF and its network of providers distributed more than 135 million pounds of food and grocery items. OASHF also served as the lead agencies for the Ohio Benefit Bank, an Internet-based, application assistance program which breaks down barriers and helps simplify the application process for work support programs and tax credits.
The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks food programs are funded by a grant from the Ohio General Assembly through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (contract manager) every two years through the state's biennial budget process as well as by private and corporate donations. OASHF's other programs are funded through a combination of grants and donations from foundations, corporations, partnerships with Ohio's government, and through donations from local individuals and their families. OASHF's funding is used to purchase food through the Ohio Food Purchase and Agricultural Clearance Program. This gives OASHF more flexibility in funding, allowing the Association to better meet the needs of the regional foodbanks and their agencies to supplement and enhance their food supplies. The program enhances the regional foodbanks' local food purchase programs, the donated food items received, the USDA's The Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
Under the auspices of the OASHF, the Paper Plate Project will continue for the next two months. The witness of these messages to the Ohio General Assembly will service to strength the case for adequate state support during this period of desperation for many less fortunate citizens and during the critical process of upcoming budget consideration.
No Food to Spare. Columbus Dispatch
Ohioans Use Paper Plates to Raise the Voices of Hunger:
Public News Service-OH; 12/21/10
Paper Plate Project
Food Stamp Rolls: Wall Street Journal.
Ohio Association of Second
Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) or call 614/221-4336 .
|