{"id":843,"date":"2011-07-08T06:25:13","date_gmt":"2011-07-08T10:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/activistfaith\/?p=843"},"modified":"2011-07-08T11:29:02","modified_gmt":"2011-07-08T15:29:02","slug":"help-the-least-of-these","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/activistfaith\/2011\/07\/help-the-least-of-these.html","title":{"rendered":"Help “The Least of These”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

My friends at Bread for the World<\/a> have recently launched a great online initiative<\/a> to help encourage members of Congress to protect food programs for the poor. Please read and support<\/a> this effort. Yes, our nation needs to make some budget cuts, but not in this area.<\/p>\n

Thanks,
\nDillon<\/p>\n

+++<\/p>\n

OVERVIEW<\/h4>\n
\n

As so many are struggling in this difficult economy, our faith tells us to increase<\/strong> help for those most in need \u2013 not make drastic cuts. Right now, Congress isn\u2019t debating how much to help those who are struggling \u2013 but how much to cut<\/strong> funding to the most vulnerable in our society.<\/p>\n

For example, Congress is proposing severe cuts in the next 10 years to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). This would leave 8 million people without food<\/strong> or cut average monthly benefits by about $147 for a family of four<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Stand up with Bread for the World<\/strong> and thousands of others who are moved by their faith to create a circle of protection around the most vulnerable among us. We firmly believe we need to cut the federal deficit, but it is unacceptable to cut programs that directly affect poor and hungry people.<\/p>\n

Budgets are moral documents that tell the world what our national priorities are. As people of faith, we urge Congress to protect vital programs needed by poor and vulnerable people in these difficult times. We believe we must speak and act on behalf of those Jesus called \u201cthe least of these\u201d (Matthew 25:45).<\/p>\n

Join us by telling <\/a>your members of Congress to protect the least of these by forming a circle of protection around programs that are vital to hungry and poor people.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

PETITION LETTER<\/h4>\n
\n

Protect Programs that are Vital to Hungry and Poor People<\/p>\n

Dear Member of Congress:<\/p>\n

As a person of faith, I believe deeply that the federal budget is a moral document that reflects our values. I am asking that you protect those Jesus describes as \u201cthe least of these\u201d (Matthew 25:45) \u2013 the most vulnerable and needy in our society. You will be making difficult decisions in the coming months to reduce the federal deficit, but I urge you to create a circle of protection around programs that are vital to hungry and poor people.<\/p>\n

I am standing with Bread for the World, which is a faith-based organization committed to fiscal responsibility and shared sacrifice. We are also committed to resisting budget cuts that undermine the lives, dignity, and rights of poor and vulnerable people.<\/p>\n

Bread for the World and thousands of others around the country are joining together to form a circle of protection around programs that meet the essential needs of hungry and poor people at home and abroad. Please join the circle and protect programs that are vital to hungry and poor people.<\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/p>\n

[Your name]<\/p>\n

Add your name HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe true test of faith is how we treat those who can do nothing in return.\u201d<\/em> -Dillon Burroughs<\/p>\n

+++<\/p>\n

DILLON BURROUGHS<\/strong><\/a> is an author, activist, and co-founder of Activist Faith. Dillon served in Haiti following the epic 2010 earthquake and has investigated modern slavery in the US and internationally. His books include\u00a0Undefending Christianity<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0Not in My Town<\/em><\/a> (with Charles J. Powell), and\u00a0Thirst No More<\/em> <\/a>(November). Discover more at\u00a0ActivistFaith.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My friends at Bread for the World have recently launched a great online initiative to help encourage members of Congress to protect food programs for the poor. Please read and support this effort. Yes, our nation needs to make some budget cuts, but not in this area. 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