Who We Are
The Twin Cities' Metro Area Team is a part of Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.
Fact: Federal nutrition programs provide roughly 10 times as much food assistance as private churches and charities combined. That’s why ending hunger requires the collective efforts of churches, charities, food banks, and federal programs. Learn more about common myths about hunger click here
2023 BFW Offering of Letters
This year, Congress is working to renew farm bill programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and international food aid programs. Among the measures that should be included are strengthening nutrition security in domestic and international programs; creating a more equitable SNAP program; and increasing food systems sustainability.
Tell your senators and representatives to support the reauthorization of the farm bill in order to build healthy, equitable, and sustainable food systems.
sample domestic letter
sample international letter
sample work requirements letter
This year, Congress is working to renew farm bill programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and international food aid programs. Among the measures that should be included are strengthening nutrition security in domestic and international programs; creating a more equitable SNAP program; and increasing food systems sustainability.
Tell your senators and representatives to support the reauthorization of the farm bill in order to build healthy, equitable, and sustainable food systems.
sample domestic letter
sample international letter
sample work requirements letter
Links
BREAD for the WORLD website
Bread's OFFERING OF LETTERS Bread's HUNGER REPORT Bread on YOUTUBE Bread on Bread's BLOG |
NEWS
You Asked for Something New. We Hope You Find It Here. Advocacy tips from long time BFW member Marty Fergus click here
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Offering of Letters held March 2024 University Lutheran Church of Hope Minneapolis, MN
Thanks to all who participated. We wrote:
32 to Senator Klobuchar, 24 to Senator Smith, 24 to Rep Omar and 7 to Rep McCollum for a total of 87 letters to our lawmakers in Washington in support for the passage of the Farm Bill. Great job! ***************************
Zooming Advocacy with US REP Omar's office
picture top row - Biftu Bussa, Carol Dubay, Dottie and Marty Fergus. middle row - Mike Troutman, Mary Kirchhof, Dan Moir, bottomrow - Donna Neste
On April 20, 2020 the BFW Metro team organized a meeting with Biftu Bassa, staff member in Omar's District. We asked that Rep Omar support increased funding for Food Stamps, the School Lunch program, and Global Nutrition to alleviate the hunger crisis during the COVID epidemic. *************************
Zoom Advocacy with US Rep Phillips Office
On April 16, 2020 the BFW Metro team organized a meeting with Emma Youngquist, Director of Constituent Advocay in Phillip's office.We asked that Rep Phillips support increased funding for Food Stamps, the School Lunch program, and Global Nutrition to alleviate the hunger crisis during the COVID epidemic.
Participating were Marty Fergus, Dottie Fergus, Donna Neste, Dan Moir, Mary Kirchhoff, and Carol Dubay. *************************
Advocacy in US Rep Emmer's Office
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Contacts
TEAM COORDINATOR:
Contact Marty Fergus Need a speaker for your program? contact Carol Dubay or call her at (952)-922-5695 2nd Congressional District (Angie Craig's district) contact - vacant 3rd Congressional District (Dean Phillip's district) contact Carol Dubay 4th Congressional District (Betty McCollum's district) contact - vacant 5th Congressional District (Ilhan Omar's district) contact Marty Fergus 6th Congressional District (Tom Emmer's district) contact - vacant Regional Organizer: Nicole Schmidt cell 440.787.1141 nschmidt@bread.org Webmaster: contact Carol Dubay |
*photo l. to r.: Ed Nieman, Carol Dubay, Donna Neste, Jerry Larson, John Gabrielson, Robert Benson, Richard Mulhern (FH), Ari Shaw (FH)
On September 3, 2019 representative of Food for the Hungry (FH) organized a meeting which included members of our Minnesota Bread team and 6th District constituents. The group met with Robert Benson, Representative Emmer's District Outreach Coordinator. We asked that Rep Emmer cosponsor HR Res 189 and protect and increase nutrition funding. Shortly thereafter, Representative Emmer cosponsored the resolution!
On September 3, 2019 representative of Food for the Hungry (FH) organized a meeting which included members of our Minnesota Bread team and 6th District constituents. The group met with Robert Benson, Representative Emmer's District Outreach Coordinator. We asked that Rep Emmer cosponsor HR Res 189 and protect and increase nutrition funding. Shortly thereafter, Representative Emmer cosponsored the resolution!
Faith and Advocacy
Why should Christians engage in advocacy? We ourselves are beneficiaries of advocacy. We are told in Scripture that Jesus himself is our advocate (1John 2:1). The Holy Spirit is called the Advocate (John 14:26). As we have benefited from advocacy, we ought likewise to become advocates for others.
Throughout Scriptures we see God’s people calling their leaders to account. The prophets of the Old Testament repeatedly called upon the rulers of Israel to “do justice.”
Christians are invited to model Christ’s love. When we steward our influence and advocate to our nation’s leaders to transform social structures and protect society’s most vulnerable people, we show our love of God and love for our neighbors. We are called to strengthen the moral dignity of our nation’s programs and policies.
At Bread for the World, we put advocacy to work by building relationships with members of Congress, and influencing them through our
*Individual letters *Offerings of Letters *Phone Calls
*Letters to the Editor (newspapers) *Visits with Congressional offices *Emails *Questions at Town hall meetings
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The
Bible’s first Advocate! |
When the Israelites were in bondage to the Egyptians, God did NOT send Moses to deliver food and clothing to them. God knew that it would not address the cause of the problem. God sent Moses to the head politician of Egypt (the Pharaoh) to advocate for the Israelites.
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Our Bread team member, Carol Dubay wrote to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Published on February 18, 2020 on FOOD STAMPS
Safety net programs must grow in downturn
I read with distress the Washington Post column, “We’re anything but ready for an economic downturn” by Catherine Rampell in the March 16 Herald-Tribune. As an advocate for hungry and poor people, I was aware of the new work requirements for SNAP (food stamps). These rules are especially egregious considering the coming downturn.
More and more people will need this support. Even in a good economy, food insecurity is high. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 11.1% of U.S. households (14.3 million people) were food insecure at some time during 2018.
Issues with Medicare and unemployment are similar, resulting in benefits to fewer people when more help is needed and unemployment is high.
These safety net programs were meant to expand during economic downturns and automatically provide a needed safety net. No special legislation required!
Carol Dubay, Venice
Safety net programs must grow in downturn
I read with distress the Washington Post column, “We’re anything but ready for an economic downturn” by Catherine Rampell in the March 16 Herald-Tribune. As an advocate for hungry and poor people, I was aware of the new work requirements for SNAP (food stamps). These rules are especially egregious considering the coming downturn.
More and more people will need this support. Even in a good economy, food insecurity is high. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 11.1% of U.S. households (14.3 million people) were food insecure at some time during 2018.
Issues with Medicare and unemployment are similar, resulting in benefits to fewer people when more help is needed and unemployment is high.
These safety net programs were meant to expand during economic downturns and automatically provide a needed safety net. No special legislation required!
Carol Dubay, Venice
Our Bread team member, Marty Fergus wrote to the Star Tribune Published on December 9, 2019 on FOOD STAMPS
Work requirements don’t help
The advocates serving Minnesotans who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are absolutely correct that tightening work requirements for this program “will make it difficult for those who need help to get it and put even more pressure on food shelves and other community programs” (“Feds to tighten rules for food aid,” Dec. 5).
One key reason for this is that work requirements have proved to be ineffective. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “Cutting off basic assistance doesn’t appear to help individuals get jobs, as research into the SNAP time limit, and similar rules in Medicaid, demonstrates.” Further, “Rigid work requirements in government assistance programs have a well-established record of fueling deep poverty.”
Nevertheless the Agriculture Department has pursued this and other restrictions on SNAP eligibility. This is despite the fact that these same restrictions were rejected on a bipartisan basis in last year’s farm bill and that, during the comment period on this proposed rule on SNAP work requirements, the department received more than 140,000 public comments, which were overwhelmingly negative.
While it is late in the game, there is still time to act. Advocates need to let their elected representatives know the consequences this new rule will have for their constituents and urge their opposition to it.
Martin Fergus, Crystal
Work requirements don’t help
The advocates serving Minnesotans who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are absolutely correct that tightening work requirements for this program “will make it difficult for those who need help to get it and put even more pressure on food shelves and other community programs” (“Feds to tighten rules for food aid,” Dec. 5).
One key reason for this is that work requirements have proved to be ineffective. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “Cutting off basic assistance doesn’t appear to help individuals get jobs, as research into the SNAP time limit, and similar rules in Medicaid, demonstrates.” Further, “Rigid work requirements in government assistance programs have a well-established record of fueling deep poverty.”
Nevertheless the Agriculture Department has pursued this and other restrictions on SNAP eligibility. This is despite the fact that these same restrictions were rejected on a bipartisan basis in last year’s farm bill and that, during the comment period on this proposed rule on SNAP work requirements, the department received more than 140,000 public comments, which were overwhelmingly negative.
While it is late in the game, there is still time to act. Advocates need to let their elected representatives know the consequences this new rule will have for their constituents and urge their opposition to it.
Martin Fergus, Crystal
Our Bread team member, Carol Dubay, wrote to the Star Tribune Published on May 12, 2018 on FOOD SHELF VISITS
A reminder that the need can’t be met through charity alone
I read “Food shelf visits reach record high” (May 10) with interest. Even though our economy seems robust, many in our own community are suffering from a lack of food. It is really important that we support the food shelves and other charitable organizations that help those that suffer from poverty and hunger.
While charities are very important, the bulk of food support comes from the government. Here is a startling demonstration: Line up 20 grocery bags that represent the food provided to those in need by both private giving and federal programs. How many bags do private organizations provide? The surprising answer is only one. (Source: Bread for the World; seehttps://tinyurl.com/bftw-food-chart.) So, it is very important that besides supporting charitable organizations we also advocate for poor and hungry people. Federal domestic programs include SNAP (food stamps), WIC and School Lunch. The farm bill, which includes the SNAP program, is currently being worked on by Congress. Please contact your representatives (it’s easy to do!) and ask them to support and maintain SNAP.
Carol Dubay, Eden Prairie
A reminder that the need can’t be met through charity alone
I read “Food shelf visits reach record high” (May 10) with interest. Even though our economy seems robust, many in our own community are suffering from a lack of food. It is really important that we support the food shelves and other charitable organizations that help those that suffer from poverty and hunger.
While charities are very important, the bulk of food support comes from the government. Here is a startling demonstration: Line up 20 grocery bags that represent the food provided to those in need by both private giving and federal programs. How many bags do private organizations provide? The surprising answer is only one. (Source: Bread for the World; seehttps://tinyurl.com/bftw-food-chart.) So, it is very important that besides supporting charitable organizations we also advocate for poor and hungry people. Federal domestic programs include SNAP (food stamps), WIC and School Lunch. The farm bill, which includes the SNAP program, is currently being worked on by Congress. Please contact your representatives (it’s easy to do!) and ask them to support and maintain SNAP.
Carol Dubay, Eden Prairie
More Advocacy in Sen. Klobuchar's office
*photo l. to r.: Scott Brazil, Ed Payne, Chuck Ackman, Marty Fergus, Dottie Fergus, and Carol Dubay.
Members of our Minnesota Bread team met with Chuck Ackman, Sen. Klobuchar’s director for Agriculture and southern Minnesota, in the Senator’s metro area office in September 2017. We advocated for the Corker – Coons amendment for food aid for overseas needs. This amendment includes lifting the requirement that all food aid commodities be produced in the United States. The US Agency for International Development could use food produced nearer to the area of need or use credit cards or vouchers – whichever works the best. We also advocated for two immigration bills.
Members of our Minnesota Bread team met with Chuck Ackman, Sen. Klobuchar’s director for Agriculture and southern Minnesota, in the Senator’s metro area office in September 2017. We advocated for the Corker – Coons amendment for food aid for overseas needs. This amendment includes lifting the requirement that all food aid commodities be produced in the United States. The US Agency for International Development could use food produced nearer to the area of need or use credit cards or vouchers – whichever works the best. We also advocated for two immigration bills.