Table Talk

November/December 2011

Table of Contents Area Food Drives SNAP Asset Tests Food & Farm Bill Quick Links Our Website Donate Now Volunteer Contact Us Facebook Twitter

Dear Friends, Welcome to Table Talk, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes' advocacy e-newsletter that's published six times each year. This e-newsletter will inform you on recent hunger news and legislation, as well as provide you with ways to be an advocate for hungry people in our community.

Help Out At Home

Give to an area food drive in Kalamazoo/Portage

Make Your Voice Heard The key to a well-functioning democratic society is giving voice to the people and the people exercising that voice. Click the links below to contact your legislators to let them know your stance on food insecurity in Kalamazoo County. Contact your representative Contact your senator

State and federal budget constraints and policy decisions, along with the tightening of the charitable food supply, mean increasing numbers of Kalamazoo County residents are struggling with hunger. Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is feeling the effects. Our shelves are appearing more bare and our lowcost food selection is dwindling. We need your help. Check our food drive list for a food donation drop-off point near you. If you're planning on attending the downtown Kalamazoo holiday parade on the morning of Nov. 12, bring a nonperishable food donation to drop in a shopping cart as it goes by.

New Food Stamp Asset Tests

Stricter qualifications could limit aid to families

In Michigan, food assistance eligibility now includes an asset test. For example, if you have $5,000 in liquid assets or a car worth more than $15,000, you may not qualify for food assistance. Read this article by USA Today for more on Michigan's new policy. While some see this as an end for those who manipulate the welfare system, many see it as a harsh ruling that will leave many needy families with few options for economic independence. Read this Viewpoint from the Kalamazoo Gazette about the economic growth SNAP creates. Gov. Rick Snyder says the state will reassess these new asset measures since some concerns have been raised.

Food & Farm Bill Update

Funding to be decided by Dec. 23 The Agricultural Committee's recommendations for $4-5 billion in cuts to nutrition assistance programs - which make up a substantial part of the Food & Farm Bill - was due Nov. 1 to the 'Super Committee'. The Super Committee now has until Nov. 23 to accept or revise the proposal. Once the Super Committee publishes their Defecit Reduction Plan by Nov. 23, Congress has until Dec. 23 to accept or reject the recommendations (no amendments are allowed). According to the Center for American Progress, cutting antihunger programs will cost the government more money than the proposal saves in the long run. Contact members of the Super Committee or your Senator or Representative by Nov. 23 to let them know how important nutrition assistance programs are to people now and to our country in the future. If you received this e-newsletter from a friend and would like to be added to the Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes' mailing list, click here.