Budgets Are Moral Documents

Investing To End Hunger
On Tuesday, April 25, St. Luke’s parishioners and over 100 people belonging to the faith-based Hunger Network in Ohio, and the Poor People’s Campaign, met at Trinity Episcopal, Columbus to advocate for School Meals, Food Banks, Safe, Decent, Affordable Housing, and the proposed Child Tax Credit.

Advocacy teams were created (about 5-6 people per team with 12 teams total) and given specific meeting schedules with Ohio State Representatives and Senators located in the Riffe Center and State House, Columbus, OH. Each team met with the representatives/ senators and told them their stories, advocating for HC bills and how the budget will impact Ohio citizens.

  1. School Meals – Policy Recommendation:
    The state should invest to expand Ohio’s school meal program to guarantee every child is fed and reduce stigma in the lunch line. We support amendment HC 1213 which will fund universal breakfast and expand eligibility from 185% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 225% of the FPL.

  2. Food Banks – Policy Recommendation:
    The Ohio Association of Foodbanks serves Ohio’s communities effectively and efficiently as need grows. On our food pantry shelves, the healthiest food often is a result of state and federal funds through our food bank system. Governor DeWine proposed to return the food banks to ta pre-COVID budget ($7.5 million a year cut), even though need and costs have increased. We support amendment HC 0286 to restore the funding cut and adjust for inflationary pressures ($4.93 million) on costs of food.

  3. Child Tax Credit – Policy Recommendation:
    Governor DeWine proposed a tax credit for children six and under of up to $1000 for families. This tax credit is targeted at assisting low- and middle-income families to be able to afford groceries, childcare and handle the economics of young children. We support the Governor’s version of this proposal.

  4. Safe, Decent, Affordable Housing – Policy Recommendation:
    The Ohio Housing Trust Fund strengthens Ohio by investing in homeless services and housing stability. We support Amendment HC 1086 to support fully funding the Ohio Housing Trust Fund at $65 million. We also support Amendment HC 1309 to strengthen funding for legal aid services in Ohio who are on the frontlines in helping tenants avoid costly evictions.

Hopefully everyone was able to view the press conference, which was aired on NBC Channel 10, concerning Budgets are Moral Documents advocacy day. Click here to watch it.

For more information about the Hunger Network in Ohio please visit www.hungernetohio.com

Lara Benschoter