Faith Community in #ABQ Speaks Out Against Budget Cuts
Several members of the faith community in Albuquerque gathered in front of the federal courthouse on Thursday afternoon, June 26, to urge the Senate to pass a #MoralBudget. The event was organized by Franciscan (Joan Brown) and Mercy (Marlene Perrote) Catholic sisters and lay members/supporters of the Loretto community (Karen Navarro, Trish Herron). Among the local leaders who joined us were Archbishop John Wester, Samia Assad, Rev. Andy Stoker, Rev. Susan Allison-Hatch, Fr. Vincent Chavez and others. The event was held in conjunction with 20 other similar events around the country, including one on the steps of the Capitol on June 24.
Help Save SNAP-Ed and Kids Cook!
The budget reconciliation package approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year cuts almost $300 billion in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over 10 years. The reductions proposed by the Senate are similar to those in the House, according to the Center for Budget and Public Policy Priorities.
The proposed cuts to SNAP include full or partial elimination of funding for the SNAP-Ed program. "The elimination of SNAP-Ed would have a devastating and disproportionate impact on thousands of communities and millions of Americans who look to these resources to keep them healthy at home, in the workplace and in schools," the Public Health Institute said in May when the cuts came up in the House Agriculture Committee budget. "This includes low wage working families, children, older adults, and people with disabilities. Organizations and groups such as food banks, farmer’s markets and local farmers also count on SNAP-Ed resources to help support and promote their resources and services throughout the country."
25 Years of Serving Kids in New Mexico
In New Mexico, Kids Cook! is one of the most succesful programs. This is a multicultural nutrition and food education program. Along with FUDRR, it supports healthy lifestyle choices and growing healthy communities.
For nearly 25 years, Kids Cook! has provided hands-on experiential learning for elementary and middle school students and their families, and a reduction or elimination of funding would have a negative impact on the program, said Kids Cook! executive director Sara Robbins.
The organization strives to inspire families to bond over cooking and eating together, be more physically active, and to share their knowledge with their communities. (Watch a video of members of the Interfaith Hunger Coalition preparing black bean tostadas, May 2023)
Here is compelling testimony from a grateful parent
How can you help? Call Sen. Martin Heinrich (202 224-5521) and Sen, Ben Ray Lujan (202 224-6621) and urge them to vote NO on a budget that does not include funding for SNAP-ED.
Fasting for Justice
Join the #EmptyPlatesProtest
As the Senate deliberates on a budget reconciliation package, a broad coalition of health, faith-based, and anti-hunger organizations has launched the #EmptyPlatesProtest, a national relay fast designed to draw moral urgency and opposition to the devastating cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and other basic needs in the budget reconciliation bill.
Here's how it works:
- Fast for 24 hours any day starting June 23rd, 2025. The national relay fast will continue until Congress breaks for the July 4th recess.
- Tell your Senator to reject budget reconciliation bill cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, Child Tax Credit.
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