What's 'MOO' At The Clearinghouse — February
2000
LEAP
INTO ACTION ON FEBRUARY 29TH
PUBLICATION
TECHNOLOGY GRANTS
HUNGER CLEANUP 2K
INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT
ACCOUNTS
LEAP INTO ACTION ON FEBRUARY 29TH
Show your support for ending hunger in America by
participating in a National Call-In Day, February 29th.
Call your members of Congress (U.S. Capitol
switchboard: 202-224-3121) and let them know your views
on two major pieces of anti-hunger legislation
currently being considered in Congress. The
Kennedy-Specter/Walsh Hunger Relief Act (HRA) (S. 1805,
H.R. 3192) would restore food stamp benefits for
vulnerable legal immigrants, improve vehicle value
resource limits for food stamp households, and increase
allotments for families with children with high shelter
costs. It would also boost funding for The Emergency
Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The second bill, the
Food Outreach and Research for Kids Act (FORK) (S.
1800, H.R. 2738) would enhance Food Stamp Program
outreach and strengthen USDA’s monitoring of
local food stamp offices. The National Call-In Day is
being held in conjunction with an "End Hunger Now"
press event and rally. This joint *Fight Hunger* event
on Capitol Hill at 2:30 and the national call-in day
caps two national meetings in Washington, D.C. - the
Food Research and Action Center/America’s Second
Harvest/National Child and Adult Care Food Program
Forum 2000 national policy conference and a major
immigrant advocates meeting.
PUBLICATION
Paradox of Our Times: Hunger in a Strong Economy is a
study by the Center on Hunger and Poverty at Tufts
University which documents the persistence of food
insecurity and the rising demand on emergency food
charities in a growing economy. "For the first time in
our history, a strong economy has failed to reduce
hunger and food insecurity. In 1998, 30 million
Americans lived in households that experienced food
insecurity, a figure that has remained persistent since
1995. The economy itself can no longer be relied upon
to reduce hunger. Instead of shifting responsibility to
the private sector, federal policy mechanisms are
needed." This study also recommends support of bills
like the ones mentioned above that deal with Food
Stamps. It further states that Food Stamps are not
enough and "recommends policies that promote economic
security among impoverished working families, by
building assets through savings and home ownership (see
IDA next page), similar to the way federal policies
have benefited the middle class over past decades." At
a time when several presidential candidates are
addressing hunger and poverty in their campaigns, the
information in this study offers non-partisan analysis
for activists. The cost of the study is $6.00 plus
$2.50 shipping and handling.
TECHNOLOGY GRANTS
TOP - Technology Opportunities Program is the new name
of the Department of Commerce’s grant program
which promotes the innovative use of technology by
communities. The 2000 TOP competition has $13 million
available for federal assistance as matching funds for
initiatives that use advanced network technologies to
solve problems in the public and nonprofit sectors. TOP
is interested in projects that are developed by
smaller, locally based organizations that serve and
represent under-served communities, especially in the
areas of 1). Community Networking and Services, 2).
Lifelong Learning and the Arts, 3). Health, and 4).
Public Safety. The federal portion of each project is
capped at $600,000, which must be matched at least
dollar for dollar in non-federal funds. The grants are
not designated for equipment or initial Internet
connectivity but for projects demonstrating how
advanced technologies can contribute to enhancing
community prosperity. Applications are due March 16,
2000.
HUNGER CLEANUP 2K
The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and
Homelessness is sponsoring their 16th annual event on
April 8, 2000. It is a national community service
fundraiser in which students and community members
raise money while volunteering at local agencies.
Projects may include painting shelters, planting
community gardens, and cleaning up food banks. Similar
to a walk-a-thon, the Cleanup mobilizes volunteers who
gather hourly pledges for their work. The money raised
benefits local charities chosen by the students (50%),
NSCAHH (35%), and international programs through the
International Development Exchange (15%).
For a registration form and
organizing kit telephone: 800-664-8647,
ext. 324
website:
www.nscahh.org
|
INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS
The Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Community Service (OCS), is seeking applications for
approximately 25 demonstration projects totaling $5.4
million dollars. The "Assets for Independence
Demonstration Program" fosters asset building for
low-income families by matching savings at financial
institutions. These programs select low-income families,
provide financial management education, and encourage them
to start saving for the future in an individual
development account, generally called an IDA. The money a
family saves is matched by the organization sponsoring the
IDA. These funds can then be used for education, home
mortgage down payments, capital to start a small business,
or other approved assets. Closing date is May 15,
2000.
