Here's a TV news clip of John Edwards and his family delivering donations to food bank in North Carolina today, being the change he believes in:
CARRBORO, N.C. — Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on Wednesday released his plan to fight domestic hunger and called on Congress to immediately take action to fund programs that provide food services for millions of Americans.
His six-point proposal urges Congress to pass a farm bill that would provide food stamps and support food banks, and asks lawmakers to reform the food stamps program to help more families get more assistance.
The plan also tells politicians in Washington to quickly provide $5.1 billion to help low income families pay their winter heating bills to free up extra money for food.
The former North Carolina senator said that he would help low-income children get more access to healthy meals, support programs that provide meals for the elderly, and develop a new program that would identify and provide for neighborhoods that don't have full-service supermarkets.
WRAL.com
"This week, as families across the country come together to give thanks, we are reminded of the sad fact that millions of American families still go hungry," said Edwards. "Food insecurity is one more sign that the economy is not working for regular families. While the costs of health care and energy keep increasing, the average family is earning less than they did in 2000 and the cost of food is rising faster than it has at any time in nearly 20 years. More than 35 million Americans went hungry last year, including almost 13 million children.
"America is better than this," Edwards continued. "I believe it is our moral obligation to fight the special interests in Washington and build One America where no man, woman or child goes hungry. But we don’t have to wait till 2009 to create change– we can start taking action right now. That’s why today I’m issuing the ‘One Can Change America’ challenge to encourage everyone this holiday season to get involved in their own communities and take part in building a better America from the ground up."
Edwards Unveils New Policies For Fighting Widespread Hunger Among America's Families
You can help change America NOW! Change is not just about voting, blogging, or contributing. All those are important, but acting in your own life is necessary also. As John Edwards says, "Be the change you believe in."
ONE CAN CHANGE AMERICA
Each one of us, in our way, can help change America for the better over this holiday season.
John Edwards is asking Americans to volunteer. Be the change you believe in.
Volunteer 1 hour or more to fight hunger, donate 1 can or more to a local food bank, donate 1 toy for a child -- and call on 1 friend or family member to do the same.
America's Second Harvest is a nationwide network of food banks. Get started this Thanksgiving by finding your local food bank and lending a hand.
Food Bank Locator
One Can Change America
If all of us act, the Democratic Party will follow. WE MUST LEAD THEM. John Edwards understands this.
Fighting Widespread Hunger among America’s Families
"The 35 million Americans who go hungry, the 37 million people who live in poverty every day, the 47 million Americans have no health care coverage – they have no lobbyist. They depend on us. When is our party going to show a little backbone and strength and courage and speak up for those people who have been left behind?" – John Edwards
More than 35.5 million Americans went hungry last year, including almost 13 million children. The nation’s food banks are reporting increased demand, particularly among working families. The cost of food is rising faster than at any time in nearly 20 years. The average family is earning less than they did in 2000 and household costs like health care and energy are going up. Food insecurity is one more sign that the economy is not working for regular families. [USDA, 2007; America’s Second Harvest, 2007; AP, 10/8/07; N.Y. Times, 8/21/07]
Edwards Unveils New Policies For Fighting Widespread Hunger Among America's Families
Here's the plan:
- Pass a Farm Bill with Strong Nutrition Programs:
The nutrition programs in the Farm Bill are critical to increasing food security in America. Just two programs – food stamps and the Emergency Food Assistance Program for food banks – help about 25 million Americans a year each. Unfortunately, federal funding has not kept pace with growing need and rising costs. Last week, Senate Republicans used a filibuster to block the farm bill, sending Congress home for Thanksgiving without helping overtaxed food banks or hungry families. Edwards believes that Congress should quickly pass a strong and fair farm bill with robust funding for federal nutrition programs and President Bush should sign it. [ASH, 2007]
- Get Food Aid to More Eligible Families:
Food stamps – cash assistance averaging only about $1 per person per meal – help families purchase food and provide nearly a two-to-one benefit for the local economy. But one out of every three eligible families is not enrolled in the program, including millions of families who visit food banks and other community food services. Edwards will expand a pilot program, Express Stamps, which provides online enrollment kiosks at local food pantries. He will expand alternative hours at food stamp eligibility offices so that working families can enroll without missing work. To modernize eligibility and benefits, Edwards believes that Congress should quickly pass reforms to raise the minimum benefit level (which has remained at $10 since 1977), allow families to deduct their actual child care costs and protect families with modest retirement or education savings so they do not have to chose between putting food on the table and their longer-term need of preparing for the future. [CBPP, 2007; USDA, 2006 and 2007]
- Provide Healthy Meals for Children:
The 12 million American children who go hungry are 90 percent more likely to be in fair or poor health, have 30 percent higher hospitalization rates, and have lower test scores, attendance and other academic indicators. As president, Edwards will ensure robust funding to meet the nutritional needs of low-income school children through school breakfasts, free and reduced lunches, after-school snacks, fruit and vegetable programs, and the critical but under-used Summer Food Program. [Cook et al., 2004; Frongillo et al., 2005]
- Strengthen Food Support for Seniors:
One in six low-income elderly families does not have a regular, reliable source of enough to eat. President Bush has repeatedly proposed eliminating funding for the critical Commodity Supplemental Food program, which delivers nutritious food packages to nearly half a million seniors in 32 states and two Indian territories. Edwards will strengthen support for this program and expand other supportive services including Meals-on-Wheels for seniors and people with disabilities. [CBPP, 2007]
- Address the "Heat or Eat" Crisis:
Nearly half of the families served by the nation’s food banks have been forced to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel. Without assistance, even more families will struggle with this winter’s anticipated record home heating prices. Today, Edwards called on President Bush and Congress to fully fund the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program — nearly doubling it to $5.1 billion – and adjust the standard utility allowance in food stamp eligibility rules to reflect soaring prices. He will help states implement new low- and no-interest consumer loan programs through states and non-profits and double the funding for weatherizing homes. He also has a plan to fight rising oil and gas prices by creating energy competition, reducing speculation in the oil and gas markets, and bringing down demand through greater building conservation, fuel efficiency and access to renewable sources. [ASH, 2006; EIA, 2007]
- Support Food Access in Every Neighborhood:
Wealthy neighborhoods have over three times as many supermarkets as non-wealthy neighborhoods. Small corner stores are usually more expensive and offer less nutritious food. Food-insecure families in rural areas often face high transportation costs to reach the nearest food pantries. As president, Edwards will launch a public-private partnership to bring fresh, nutritious food to new neighborhoods. He will create a national food access map that identifies neighborhoods lacking grocery stores, emergency food banks and regular access to fresh produce. His new Healthy Neighborhoods Seed Fund will offer needy communities challenge grants for projects including full-service supermarkets, community gardens and food stamp-friendly farmers’ markets. [PolicyLink, 2005]
Edwards Unveils New Policies For Fighting Widespread Hunger Among America's Families
This is a movement for real change, not just a political campaign. After Edwards wins the presidency, the work of real change just begins.
As Thanksgiving approaches and many of us sit down to good meals, let's not forget those who are hungry and with less. Even a little bit will help. You don't have to be a monk or take a vow of poverty to be a decent person and care about others. Be the change you believe in and do something for others:
Volunteer 1 hour or more to fight hunger, donate 1 can or more to a local food bank, donate 1 toy for a child -- and call on 1 friend or family member to do the same.
Most of us can give one can or one hour.
I'll end with John Edwards' Thanksgiving Day message, which is running in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
Happy Thanksgiving
For two parents who worked so hard to give us a better life.
For thirty years with one amazing woman.
And for four wonderful children.
For 231 years of America.
For the hopes and determination of a nation filled with the most optimistic people on Earth.
And for all of you, who have welcomed us into your homes and hearts.
Thank you.
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