Social Concerns Column for Sunday, December 9, 2012

US Bishops Campaign to End Poverty in America: 
We Can Make a Difference
(www.povertyusa.org)

Even before the recession, Americans were having a difficult time making ends meet. Struggling to get back on their feet, more and more families have to choose between necessities shelter, child care, and food.  Working to address poverty in America demands confronting the root causes of economic injustice — and promoting social policies that help.

Sign up for Action Alerts so you can write to your Congressional representatives when legislation is pending.  Your voice will make the difference!  http://www.povertyusa.org/get-involved/action-alerts/

Learn more about some major legislative policies that help people get back on their feet:

The Farm Bill.  
The 2012 reauthorization of the Farm Bill provides an opportunity to reshape the current, broken agricultural policies to build a more just framework that better serves small and medium-sized family farms in the U.S., promotes good stewardship of the land, helps overcome hunger at home and abroad and helps vulnerable farmers and their families in developing countries. Read more at: http://www.povertyusa.org/we-can-make-a-difference/policies-that-help/

The Federal Budget.  
The nation needs to substantially reduce future deficits, but not at the expense of hungry and poor people. Programs meant to support people living in poverty can be made more effective, but not by cutting benefits that harm struggling families. The federal budget is a moral document that reflects our priorities as a society. Read more at: http://www.povertyusa.org/we-can-make-a-difference/policies-that-help/

(This above is an excerpt from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Catholic Campaign for Human Development's initiative to eliminate poverty in America at www.povertyusa.org).