in the news

Published March 04, 2010 11:53

In a world where there are 1.1 billion individuals who are food insecure, alarming rates are children. Living in the country that professes to be the world leader, the light upon other nations, it is shameful to ignore those who are most in need.

To that end, congress regularly debates the Child Nutrition Reauthorization. The Act sets aside a billion dollars to find programs such as Breakfast and Lunch programs and the Farm to Fork program. While a billion dollars sounds promising, this money is allocating in hopes of ending child hunger in America by 2015 by providing school breakfasts and lunches to those in need. A more accurate figure would volunteer about a billion dollars per year to feed the countries 12 million food insecure children. To put this in perspective, we’re debating about 1.1% of the nations 3.8 trillion budget. This money would allow all public schools to provide healthy breakfasts and lunches to students are currently go through the day unfed. The Farm to Fork program connects local farms to schools to provide local, nutritious food to students.

My call to action is not merely about dollar signs. The bill, as indicated in its title, is not permanent. Rather, congress must approve it every five years. This means time and money is spent debating whether or not to feed America’s children constantly. I urge you to take a stand, contact your local congressman, and demand that this year Congress not merely approve the Child Nutrition Bill but make it a permanent fixture in our legislature. Such a dedication is what is truly needed to eradicate American child hunger. The bill has already been postponed till 2011 due to health care debates. While the health care bill is paramount, this is not the time to ignore hunger in America. If Michelle Obama can make this a priority, so can we.

To raise awareness on the issue, JCRC, in conjunction with the the Santa Clara Food and Agro Business Institution at the Levy School of Business, Cardozo Society of Jewish Lawyers, Jewish Law Student Association of Santa Clara University, and the Religion Department of Santa Clara University. is hosting a Child Nutrition Seder on April 6th in Adobe Lodge at Santa Clara University. Please join us for this FREE event at 7pm where you will find an interfaith people of all faiths and backgrounds, lawmakers and activists, students and community leaders, to hold a special Seder focused on the issues of hunger and child nutrition. Our hope is that this universal message, focused on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, will echo in the halls of Congress. Similar Seders are taking place around the country, including on Capital Hill. (RSVP to ieydus@jvalley.org)

Back to all news

Recent Posts