L.A. Christian Leaders Oppose Federal Budget Cuts to Programs for Hungry and Poor People
LOS ANGELES, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bread for the World, along with several other Christian organizations, will urge Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to form a circle of protection around programs that meet the essential needs of hungry and poor people in California and abroad.
"Congress has already slashed a vital nutrition program for women, infants, and children -- WIC -- by more than $685 million, which could result in more than 47,000 low-income California mothers and young children losing benefits," said Rev. Bill Epps, senior pastor, Second Baptist Church of Los Angeles, and Bread for the World board member. "The budget is a moral document, and as Christians we must call on Congress to form a 'circle of protection' around programs that serve the world's poorest people."
WHO: A diverse coalition of Christian leaders and local elected officials. Archbishop Jose Gomez and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa have been invited.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 10:30 a.m. (PDT)
WHERE: Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
DETAILS: The proposed budget cuts would have significant and immediate impacts on the most vulnerable Californians, particularly children and very low-income households. Over 3.2 million people in California received SNAP or CalFresh benefits -- formerly food stamps -- last year. The portion of California's population that uses SNAP or CalFresh benefits includes more children than any other state. Approximately 69 percent of SNAP or CalFresh households have an income at or below the federal poverty line, while 23 percent have no income at all. California senators need to protect vulnerable people and programs and find other ways to balance the budget and allow for the debt ceiling to be raised.
Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.
SOURCE Bread for the World
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