{"id":5146,"date":"2020-07-31T13:56:57","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T18:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=5146"},"modified":"2020-07-31T14:32:11","modified_gmt":"2020-07-31T19:32:11","slug":"august-recess-opportunity-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/august-recess-opportunity-2\/","title":{"rendered":"August recess opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Congress <\/span>traditionally<\/span><\/a> takes a recess during the month of August, allowing lawmakers time to return to their home states and congressional districts to connect with constituents. <\/span>That may look a bit different this year, but<\/span> the month<\/span> still<\/span> holds<\/span> meaningful<\/span> potential<\/span> for local advocates to<\/span> advance relationships and<\/span> engage with elected officials, ask <\/span>questions<\/span> and share concerns.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New <\/span>to help you connect with lawmakers <\/span>in 2020 is a <\/span>Virtual Visits<\/span><\/a> resource <\/span>with<\/span> tips on how to<\/span> u<\/span>tilize d<\/span>igital<\/span> communications<\/span> options<\/span> more widely <\/span>in use<\/span> this year<\/span>.<\/span> Our <\/span>August Recess Guide<\/span><\/a> also <\/span>contains <\/span>ideas<\/span> for communicating with your elected officials and candidates<\/span> in<\/span>–<\/span>district<\/span> this month<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some timely questions and talking points based upon <\/span>ELCA Advocacy priorities<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

THIS MOMENT IN TIME: <\/span><\/b>Hunger<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/a>“Because of sin we fall short of these obligations in this world, but we live in light of God\u2019s promised future that ultimately there will be no hunger and injustice. This promise makes us restless with less than what God intends for the world.” – from ELCA social statement\u00a0 <\/span>Sufficient Sustainable Livelihood for All<\/a><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

REMARKS\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As impacts of the coronavirus pandemic cascade, ministry demands expand and more workers are left without employment. Our role to care for our community and each other is more valuable than ever.<\/span> Hunger and lack of access to healthy and nutritious food <\/span>are devasting and <\/span>can also make communities <\/span>even <\/span>more vulnerable to COVID-19.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With unemployment at a record high and schools closed,<\/span> the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) need<\/span>s<\/span> to be expanded so that individuals and households can get enough to eat. This includes increasing SNAP benefits by 15%, increasing the minimum monthly SNAP benefit from $1<\/span>6 to $30 and suspending all administrative SNAP rule changes indefinitely, during this time of economic distress and long-term recovery.\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

QUESTIONS\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n