May 24, 2010 in Advocacy, News
Captiol Hunger Garden Grows Food, Awareness
Thanks to the efforts of the Legislative Hunger Caucus, there is now a Hunger Garden on the grounds of the State Capitol in Harrisburg. The garden, opened May 7, relies on volunteers to grow fresh vegetables to be donated to local food banks.
At the 2010 Lutheran Day at the Capitol, the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania gave its "Hunger Leader Award" to Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36), a leading force in establishing the garden.
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Pictured above: Rep. John Myers (D-Philadelphia) and Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster), co-chairs of the Legislative Hunger Caucus, plant at the new Hunger Garden on the state Capitol grounds.
“The hunger garden will allow individuals to donate their time and efforts to help feed hungry people in Pennsylvania communities,” Brubaker said. “I am excited about the opportunity to get started on this project, and I am hopeful that this highly visible plot of land will serve as a valuable educational tool to teach young people the importance of working to improve the quality of life in their communities.”
LAMPa applauds the establishment of the garden, which offers a tangible reminder to the General Assembly of the Pennsylvanians who suffer hunger and the necessity of policies and programs that address the root causes of hunger in the Commonwealth.
Paper plates usually hold food at summer picnics. This year at Pennsylvania synod assemblies, paper plates carried a message about combating childhood hunger.
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The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act authorizes all of the federal school meal and child nutrition programs. These provide funding to ensure that millions of low-income children have access to healthy and nutritious foods. LAMPa is working with the ELCA Washington Office to help strengthen and improve these programs as they come up for reauthorization in 2010. Advocacy goals includes improving access, increasing participation levels and making sure kids are getting more of the right kinds of nutrition.
LAMPa is providing resources at Synod Assemblies for congregations to conduct a Letter Writing and Paper Plate Campaign to support a strong 2010 Childhood Nutrition Reauthorization. Advocates of all ages are invited to draw pictures or write letters on paper plates that illustrate the need for all kids to have access to good, healthy food.
