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Email conversations about "ending hunger in Ohio through changing conditions which cause poverty"
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Advocates for reducing hunger |
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Hunger Network in Ohio |
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How to strengthen Advocacy in 2011 |
How much more needs to be said about the potential financial crisis loaning in Ohio? Beginning next week, the 129th General Assembly must begin to confront an unprecedented imbalance between revenue anticipation and expenditure expectations. The potential for an $8 billion deficit seems just as foreboding at the approach this new year as it was projected many months ago.
Amid debates over taxes increases and budget cuts, communities and people of faith as well as other committed to social justice and economic compassion are gearing up to protect the most vulnerable Ohioans-those without food, shelter, health coverage, and pivotal to all these adequate incomes.
How do we prepare for the likelihood of triage among those human services on which already struggling families now depend?
1. For starters, CONTACT BOB ERICKSON, OUR DIRECTOR (; 614-424-6203 ) TO DISCUSS YOUR INTERESTS AND EXPLORE WAYS YOU MIGHT BECOME INVOLVED.
2. JOIN WITH COMPANION HUMAN SERVICE AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS WHICH COULD PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO HAVE MOST TO LOSE (*)
3. ENDORSE AND WORK THROUGH ADVOCATES FOR OHIO'S FUTURE (*).
1. Hunger Network in Ohio
Consistent with our mission (audaciously put, "to end hunger in Ohio"), we try
to "attack" the problem of severe poverty. In addition to recognizing the value
of emergency responses to people needing food (food pantries, soup kitchens,
etc.), we support development approaches to economic rehabilitation of families
in need (long-term case work, providing job training and helping to locate jobs,
stabilize housing, transitional health care and child care, etc.). We
acknowledge that while "charity" (giving people what they need at the moment) is
often necessary, "Justice" (countering an imbalanced social structure designed
to favor the "haves" and keep in "their place," the "havenots," or better, the
have less or little) is essential. We opt for trying to change conditions that
cause or tolerate poverty.
Of course we are dependent upon and welcome financial donations (The Hunger
Network in Ohio is a 501(c) (3) organization). Any monetary gifts will be
gratefully received and well used. Yet crucial contributions come in many forms.
Here are some ways you can help:
Phone or Email Contact.
Respond to these HungerNetOhio email alerts throughout the year
Legislative Visits. Meet
with your state senator and representative to express your convictions “up close
and personal”
Contact Person. Regularly
receive and share information within your congregation on the realities of
poverty and ways of fighting it
Education and Training.
Gather people in your congregation to study and discuss poverty and how to
overcome it
Community Services.
Increase the availability of food through
o contributing to and/or help within a local food pantry or soup kitchen
o state and/or participation in gleaning project
o starting an after school, weekend, and summer feeding programs for children
Advocacy Coordination.
Help mobilize other advocates within your legislative district to leverage your
concerns and the decisions of public officials
Again, contact us and, together, we'll customize ways for you to make a
difference in lives of desperate Ohioans this next year.
2. Human Service, and Shelter, and Health Advocacy Organizations
Many effective Advocacy groups will need assistance to optimally defend those
who are already on the economic edge: These include the Ohio Association of
Second Harvest Foodbanks, Childrens Hunger Alliance, Coalition of Homelessness
and Housing in Ohio, UHCAN Ohio (health care), to name a few.
3. Advocates for Ohio's Future (AOF) convenes individuals and organizations
seeking to create greater public awareness, advocacy and buy-in for state
governmental services and government funded services, especially those that
support health, human services and early care. AOF works to maintain vital
public services - health, human services, and early care & education - at a
level that meets people's basic needs and protects our state's most vulnerable
populations.
Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks
Coalition of Homelessness and
Housing in Ohio
Children's
Hunger Alliance
UHCAN Ohio
Advocates for Ohio's Future
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