Catholic Charities USA Action Alert 6/10/10

Tell Congress to Support a Robust Child Nutrition Reauthorization
 
 
What:

Catholic Charities USA along with our anti-hunger partners is working to generate momentum for the passage of a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization. We need you to join us and other anti-hunger advocates from across the country by calling your Members of Congress today, June 10 and tomorrow, June 11. 

Action Needed:

Call Your Members of Congress to advocate for a robust Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) bill. Use this direct connection to the Capitol switchboard: 1-800-815-3740. To look up your representative, please click on the following link: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml.
 TELL THEM:

  • To support a strong, robustly-funded child nutrition bill; urge them to press for $1 billion a year for 10 years in new funding for the reauthorization as outlined in the President’s budget proposal.
  • At least $1 billion per year in new investments is needed for child nutrition programs. This investment will allow us to increase program access and participation for low-income kids, fill gaps in program delivery, and combat child hunger. 
  • With nearly a quarter of America’s children struggling against hunger, the time for strong action is now. Congress must complete the Child Nutrition Reauthorization this year.

BACKGROUND:

As summer approaches, legislative activity is heating up on Child Nutrition Reauthorization!  Details are beginning to emerge on the House’s version of a child nutrition bill, and Catholic Charities USA long with other advocates are making a big push before the House draft is released. The House Education and Labor Committee will soon release its draft of a CNR bill, so this is a critical time to make your voice heard to ensure the legislation makes significant progress against child hunger. 

The President requested $1 billion per year in new investments for Child Nutrition Reauthorization. With nearly one in four children at-risk of hunger, at least this amount is needed to strengthen child nutrition programs and make significant progress toward ending childhood hunger.

The Senate Agriculture Committee passed a child nutrition bill in March with $450 million per year, about halfway toward the President’s request. Now as the House Education and Labor Committee prepare to release their draft bill, this is a critical moment to influence how much funding and what provisions are included in the House bill. Grassroots action is needed to demonstrate broad, national support for a robust child nutrition reauthorization.