1. No category

8
FOCUS
We Need Your Help
This is our winter appeal. Your contributions make a
positive difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors.
(Our full appeal letter is at www.focuschurches.net/sa)
Vol. 9, No. 1
The FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry is now providing a 6-day
supply of groceries to an average of 365 families each month.
The FOCUS Winter Breakfast Program is serving more than
400 hot meals and 300 bag lunches each week.
Please help us by giving:
_____ $ amount
_____ $ amount — In honor of/in memory of (circle one) ______________________
_____ Please send me information about volunteering in FOCUS programs.
Remembering a Gentle Giant
Name ____________________________________ Phone _________________________________
Address __________________________________ E-mail ________________________________
Please return to: FOCUS, 275 State Street, Albany NY 12210
FOCUS Organizational Contributors
(continued from page 7)
Advanced Physical
Therapy
American Baptist Foundation
CACC: CROP Hunger
Walk Allocation
Community Ministries
Congregation Beth Emeth
Delmar Reformed Church
Emmanuel Baptist Church
First Church in Albany
First Presbyterian Church
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
Fill
IN FOCUS
275 State Street
Albany, NY 12210
Henry V. Lambarda
& Associates
Islamic Center of the
Capital Region
Journey United Church
of Christ
MAZON: A Jewish
Response to Hunger
Presbyterian Church
USA
St. Andrew's Episcopal
Church
Trinity United Methodist
Church
Westminster Presbyterian
Church
Gentle Giant...
(continued from page 1)
22-23). “God brings gifts into our lives, much
the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.
“We develop willingness to stick with things,
a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and
people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life,
able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”
We are diminished by Irving Smith’s absence. May we honor his spirit, his gentleness,
and his life by our own renewed dedication to
the common call that we have heard and that
God has blessed us with.
for Hungry Stomachs on January 25. See story on page 2.
Winter 2015
Looking Ahead
January 6 — People’s
State of the State Rally,
Capital, 11:45 a.m.
January 21—Ecumenical
Worship, Diocesan Ctr.,
12 noon
January 25 — Empty
Bowls Fundraiser, Elks
Club, Albany, 1-3 p.m.
February 1 — FOCUS
Worship, First Church
in Albany, 10 a.m.
February 8 — FOCUS
Lenten Reflections
available in churches
and online.
April 5 — FOCUS Easter
Sunrise Service, Capital Park West, 6:30 a.m.
April 11 — Faith & Hunger
Summit, Hospitality Ctr.,
Srs. of St. Joseph
April 17-20 — Ecumenical
Advocacy Days, in
Washington, D.C.
May 3 — CROP Walk, TBA
FOCUS is the collaboration of seven covenanting churches, joined by
five faith affiliates and
many other partners
—united in a common
calling to serve our
neighbors' needs in
Albany’s Capitol Hill
and beyond as God’s servant people in a broken and
hurting world.
by Rev. Debra Jameson, Executive Director of the FOCUS Churches
When the FOCUS Executive Council its President. (We were able to show our apgathered this fall for a monthly meeting, it preciation for Irving earlier this year at the
just happened to be in the Rose Room of FOCUS Winter Worship at
First Presbyterian. There was a palpable Trinity United Methodist.)
absence felt by all of us. Irving Smith was
Irving showed up and
gone, missing provided leadership through
from our ecumen- all the ups and downs,
ical circle. This twists and turns, of this FOquiet, friendly CUS journey, helping us
man who always transcend denominational identity, and, at
made us feel at the same time, celebrate each tradition with
home, who always its unique gifts. Gentle Irving kept us in the
made sure we room together. His quiet faithfulness afwere well cared firmed our common work.
for with drinks
In the last months, Irving wasn’t able to
and snacks, this make the FOCUS meetings but was thrilled
man who for to be of help when I called him spontaneousyears facilitated ly asking for his assistance. We needed a
our conversations check signed immediately, and he made his
together, was not way to the office, so pleased that he could
there.
contribute.
Irving died
I will always see Irving Smith as the
on October 12 bearer of the FOCUS banner at so many of
after a tough year of illness that he bravely the annual winter worship services, proudly
and stoically fought, all the while maintain- leading the procession, lifting high a symbol
ing so many connections that sustained of who we are together as followers of Jesus.
him—like his beloved First Presbyterian I think of Irving when I read Eugene Robincommunity, FOCUS, and his Guatemalan son’s translation (The Message) of what haprelationships through Albany Presbytery. pens when we live God’s ways (Galatians 5:
Rev. Glenn Leupold invited us to talk about
(continued on page 8)
Irving that night. And so we did—a bittersweet outpouring of sadness and gratitude.
We laughed, we shared Irving stories, and
we thanked God for this gentle giant who
walked among us.
I’ve always been taken by Irving’s
gentleness—in his voice, his persona. “Gentle”
defined as the ability to choose kindness and to exude humble forbearance
in commitments. He modeled this as a
passionate ecumenist, present at
FOCUS’ inception, and most recently as
2
7
Choose a handcrafted
bowl and fill it as many
times as you wish with
delicious soups made by
the Chefs' Consortium of
the Hudson Valley. Enjoy
artisan bread from the
Rock Hill Bake House
of Glens Falls.
January 25, 2014
1-3 p.m.
at the Elks Club
25 South Allen St.
Tickets are $25 and will
be available in January.
FOCUS to Initiate Grocery Collaborative Option in 2015
Inspired by the work of Robert Lupton, author
of Toxic Charity, in the Atlanta area, FOCUS is
exploring an alternative to food pantries for addressing food security issues. It is built around
collaborative groups of low-income households
who meet and manage the food distribution program themselves.
After study, discernment, and discussion, the
FOCUS Executive Council has enthusiastically
given the go-ahead to develop a “grocery collaborative” over the next year. This stand-alone program would provide an alternative, not a replacement, to the FOCUS Food Pantry and Breakfast
Programs.
The goal of a grocery collaborative is to provide food security for low-income households in
ways that maintain dignity, create relationships,
and develop skills through a jointly owned, handson, democratically controlled enterprise.
Each household would pay a small fee for administrative expenses at each meeting. FOCUS
would provide food through its generous donors and
supporters, but the grocery collaborative members
would be responsible for delivering and distributing
the food and for carrying out their responsibilities
as members.
FOCUS is currently in conversation with Union
Missionary Baptist Church on Morton Avenue (the
Senior Pastor, Rev. Victor Covington, is also on the
FOCUS staff as Pastoral Resource Person for the
Winter Breakfast Program) regarding site location
and partnership. FOCUS would like to start a grocery collaborative in the South
FOCUS Staff Take on New Responsibilities End neighborhood primarily beThe FOCUS Executive Council has approved several changes in cause it is considered a food desert
staff responsibilities as well as a new position, Director of Food Pro- and because two partner covenant
grams, to begin in January. Judy Henningson, who currently serves congregations, Westminster and
as co-coordinator of the Breakfast Program, will assume the new First Presbyterian, have estabposition. Her responsibilities will include oversight of the Interfaith lished programs and relationships
Food Pantry, Breakfast Express, Winter Breakfast, and a new in the neighborhood.
“grocery collaborative” initiative in the South End. Beth Glassanos,
For more information and conDirector of Advocacy, Outreach, and Volunteers, will now focus her versations about grocery collaboratime on advocacy and outreach. Belinda Quaye, resource consult- tives, contact Rev. Deb Jameson at
ant, will now divide her time between office management and vol- [email protected], or at
unteer coordination.
443-0460.
Donors Provide Vital Spark for FOCUS Programs
Contributions Made between June 1 and November 30, 2014
Marjory Fuller
Lawrence Gambino
Reszin Adams
Janet Gelzheiser, in memory of
Francis L. Gelzheiser
Nick and Jeanne Alesandro
Aimee and Guy Allaud
Shirley Gibbons
Jane and George Allen
Worth Gretter
Mary K and Anthony E Amodeo
Worth A. Gretter
Richard Angelo
Elizabeth and Kenneth Halvorsen
Michael and Toni Asbury, in honor of David and Margaret Hannay
the entire family of God
Judith Hanson
Donna Baker
Claudia and Leif Hartmark
Keith Barber
Ray and Katie Henrickson
Susan and Floyd Barwig
Kathleen Hodges
Paul and Joyce Bascom
Eileen Hoffman and David Munro
Laurie Beberwyck
Nancy Horan, in memory of Ken
Graham
Richard and Peggy Becker, grateful
for the wonderful work of the
Becky Hudak
FOCUS Program
Glenn and Donna Humphreys
Helen and Frank Benoit
Pat and Bob Hunziker
Elizabeth Berberian
E. Louise Jameson
Joan K. Bobier
Wilma Jenssen
Eileen Bossard
Annette Johnson
Diane and John Bossung
Jim and Mary Kalas
David and Ann Brandon
Fran Kamp, in memory of Joseph E.
Persico and to honor the marriage
Harriet L. W. Brandow
of L. Lee Helsby and David J.
Paula Brewer
Roche on October 10, 2014
Leslie Bristol
Martha and Peter Brown
Karen Kaufmann
Carol Bullard, in honor of parents
Carole & Rit Keith
Ruth & Kenneth Fairfax
Virginia King
T. J. and P. M. Burch
John B. Kinum
Dominick M. Calsolaro
Betsey Kuzia
Steven Carlson
Ian and Edith Leet, in grateful
thanksgiving for all the blessings
Alice Carpenter
FOCUS provides to our community
Deb Catozzi
Lois and Patrick Caulfield
Joseph Lemmond
Elaine Clawson
Kathy Linhardt, in honor of the
Wednesday FOCUS Breakfast
Martha and Thomas Corneil
Program Volunteers
Janet Cornell
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Correia, in
Roseann Lohrey
honor of Meghan Aberle
Tony and Marilyn Malone
Julia Creighton, in honor of Rev.
Barbara and Chuck Manning
Robert Lamar
Joel Marcellus
Susan M. Cuomo-Whitney, in honor Julie & David Martin
of Norman Shackman
Jeffrey Matthews
Chris Cupernall
Linda Mayou
Richard and Dawn Dana
Elizabeth & David McMillan
Betty Devine
Tom McPheeters
Susan Easton
Peter and Donna Meixner
Irene Econome
Ellen Messina
James Edgar
Esther Moore
Linda English
Paula and Steven Moskowitz
Katherine Enockson
David and Martha Musser
Cynthia A. Ferrari
Shirley and Rudy Nelson
Robin Forshaw
Nancy Ost
Individuals
Nancy Pierson and Gary Gold
Harvey and Iteke Prins
Dennis Radliff
Margaret and Paul Randall
Kathy Ravida, in honor of her
parents
Robert and Linda Rennie, grateful
for everything
Andrea Ricard
Mrs. Clayton E. Rose
Ruth Russell
Peter C. Sarinelli
Peter and Nancy Schiff
Kay and James Schlembach
Alice Schrade
Matthew Schultz
Harriet Seeley
Abraham and Mona Selover
Geraldine L. Shanley, in memory of
Faith Catallo, FP Director, Grace
Episcopal Church, Waterford, NY
Julia Shaw
Peter B. Shawhan
Edie Simpson
Carolyn Smith
Susan Sneeringer, in memory of
Janet Hengerer
Linda Spencer
Linda Stevens
Judith and LeRoy Suess
Abigail Sugarman
Rebecca Syltebo
Allan and Mary Jean Tedrow
Robert J. Therriault
Thomas Reizes and Gwyn Marchaman, in honor of Norman Shack
man
Robert and Lois Thomson
Ned & Patricia Trudeau, celebrating
35 years together as a couple in
FOCUS
Lora Wesner
Arlen Westbrook
Robert and Leslie Westphal, in
memory of Robert Kamp
Betty Williams, in memory of "My
Sister" Albertha Mackey
Lois Wilson
Stephen Winters
Lucy Wong
David and Gloria Wood, in honor of
Lee Helsby and D. J. Roche
Austin A. Woodward
Sheila Wrede
(continued on page 8)
6
3
Extra Efforts Bring Warmth, Cheer
Save the Date
Hunger is a year-round concern, but FOCUS
makes extra efforts to provide festive meals for the
holidays. This year, FOCUS prepared 280 holiday
food baskets for families in the Interfaith Food Pantry. Support for the Pantry has grown, with the
Islamic Center of the Capital Region becoming a
new affiliate member this fall.
With the coming of cold weather, business has
been brisk at both the Interfaith Food Pantry and
the Winter Breakfast. The Pantry is now serving an
average of more than 365 families each month.
The Winter Breakfast has also seen an increase
in numbers. Since the 3-day-a-week schedule began
on Election Day, an average of 115 guests arrive
each day to enjoy a hot breakfast. The highest number of guests to date is 145.
In addition to the food, guests benefit from Service Fairs on the third Wednesday of each month
and from volunteers who offer special extras. They
include Diane Bossung, who plays guitar and sings,
Edith Leet who takes holiday photos for guests, and
Renee Panetta, who makes delicious bread pudding.
Ecumenical Worship — The Capital Region Ecumenical Organization (CREO) will celebrate the
Week of Christian Unity (January 18-24) with an
ecumenical worship service on Wednesday, January 21, at 12 noon at the Roman Catholic Diocesan Center, 40 N. Main St., Albany. Rev. Alison
L. Leitzel pastor of First Lutheran Church will
give the message. All are welcome.
Nonviolent Communication — “Learning the
Language of Love: an Introduction to Nonviolent
Communication” will be held on Saturday, February 14, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany. Information is available at
http://www.nonviolentcommunication.com/about
nvc/aboutnvc.htm.
Ecumenical Advocacy — Advocates from around
the world will explore “Breaking the Chains:
Mass Incarceration & Systems of Exploitation.”
at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference,
April 17-20, in Washington, D.C. FOCUS offers
scholarships for those wanting to attend. Information is available at www.advocacydays.org.
Hungry for Justice...
(continued from page 5)
all my life, and I'm excited to be
working on ways to solve these
problems on a deeper level.”
Sarah and others have brought
FOCUS a vital new energy
source—their own life experience and yearning for advocacy
to end hunger. For FOCUS, this
means a broader perspective and
diversity at the table of advocacy
to end hunger.
The group’s activities to date
have included participation in
the Thanksgiving Action to End
Hunger press conference, the
Minimum Wage Teach-In and
Mobilization, and the upcoming
postcard campaign on Child Nutrition Reauthorization to Congress.
Ian Walker, who participated
in the press conference, said “I
connected with Hungry for Justice because they, like myself,
believe what we have done as a
country to help individuals in
need is not enough.
“This belief was displayed during the End Hunger Press Conference. Activists and community leaders urged our legislators
to increase the minimum wage
and provide support to food pantries, so that people in need can
IN FOCUS is a publication of the FOCUS Churches of Albany, Inc. Rev. Debra Jameson, Editor. Graphic design and production by EHL Editorial Services, Albany NY.
FOCUS Churches of Albany, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization covenanting
with Delmar Reformed, Emmanuel Baptist, First Church in Albany, First Israel AME,
First Presbyterian, Trinity United Methodist, and Westminster Presbyterian. Affiliates
of the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry Program are Congregation Beth Emeth, First
Church in Albany, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, Islamic Center, New
Covenant Presbyterian, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal.
The FOCUS office is located at 275 State St., Albany NY 12210.
Phone: 518-443-0460 FAX: 518-443-0461 Email: [email protected]
prosper instead of dangling on
the thinning rope.
“Our community benefits when
we are able to aid those in need,
not only during the holidays, but
all year around. Hungry for Justice gives me hope that we will
pay more attention to prevention
rather than waiting for people to
hit rock bottom.”
It has been our pleasure getting to know the people connected to Hungry for Justice. Their
involvement will enrich the life
and advocacy of FOCUS. Thank
you to all of the advocates—
veterans and newcomers—who
are growing a culture of justiceseeking in our community.
If you would like to participate
in advocacy happening through
FOCUS’ Hungry for Justice,
please contact us. There are
events, meetings, and conferences happening throughout the
year that you are welcome to
participate in.
Volunteers Cited for Outstanding Service
Two longtime FOCUS volunteers were honored
in October by the Capital District Senior Issues
Forum (CDSIF). Patricia Campbell and Alan
Spencer received the Forum’s Lifetime Achievement Award for their longstanding and selfless
service to their community.
Pat worked at the FOCUS Breakfast Program
for 25 years, faithfully making the early morning
drive each week from her home in Clifton Park.
When the drive became too much, she turned her
attention to the Care Links Caregiving Program of
Southern Saratoga. For the past seven years, she
has served others by providing rides to seniors
who no longer drive and by being a friendly visitor
to lonely and shut-in seniors.
Pat is also an active volunteer at Emmanuel
Baptist Church, where she maintains her lifelong
interest in children and
youth by teaching in the
Sunday School. In earlier
years, she worked as Director of Christian Education
for the church.
Carole Beauregard of
the Care Links Program,
who nominated Pat for the
award,
praised
Pat’s
“fortitude, compassion,
faithfulness and endurance.
... Her kind spirit is a gift to
those in need. She is a woman whose Christian
walk is evident in years of dedication to the lives
she has touched in other communities. ...she is a
listener, a friend and a blessing to those she helps.
She is a woman whose strong character is evident
for she lives her beliefs in service to others.
We agree. Congratulations, Pat!
Alan Spencer, has been a volunteer cook at
the FOCUS Breakfast Program since its inception 30 years ago. He has cooked untold numbers
of eggs, although with his head for figures, he
could probably calculate
the total. Instead, he
has used his financial
talents to benefit the
Capital Area Council of
Churches (CACC) and
his
church,
Trinity
United Methodist.
At CACC, he has
served as treasurer or
assistant treasurer of
the Council, member of
the Board, and member
of the Finance Committee. He also helps the
CROP Walk treasurer process the funds raised in
that annual event. At Trinity, he is currently the
head teller and also enjoys visiting homebound
members of the congregation. In previous years,
he drove the van for the Trinity Travelers, seniors who enjoyed going on trips, and was a counselor at Skye Farm Camp.
Kitt Jackson of CACC, who nominated him,
described him as “’a great guy.’ He is friendly,
hardworking, and willing to help out with any
sort of job. He is generous with his time and cares
about helping people.” She noted that two of his
other characteristics are perseverance and patriotism. She cited his commitment to years of night
school courses to complete his college degree.
“Everyone at CACC is impressed with Alan’s
energy and his commitment to his volunteer activities,” she said. Everyone at FOCUS is impressed as well. Congratulations, Alan!
CACC Honors Long Career of Service and Social Action
After 17 years of arranging
events and award presentations
as Administrative Director of the
Capital Area Council of Churches (CACC), Kitt Jackson finally
got to be the recipient of an
award and the center of the celebration. Upon her retirement,
she was honored at CACC’s fall
gathering on October 1 and presented with the Carlisle Adams
Ecumenical Award.
A self-confessed “ecumaniac,” Kitt has worked with
people and organizations in
many contexts to feed the
hungry, shelter the homeless,
care for seniors, and promote
social and economic justice.
Although now retired, she
continues to chair CACC’s Albany CROP Hunger Walk Committee and to be active in the
Faith and Hunger Network.
She also serves
on CACC’s Ecumenical Witnesses of Baptism Program
and is a preaching elder in
her church.
Since she is not likely to slow
down in retirement, we expect to
see more of her contributions in
the future. Congratulations, Kitt!
4
5
Advocacy in Action: FOCUS Strives on Many Fronts for Peace and Justice for All
Editor’s Note: The fall-to-winter months have been overflowing
with activity by FOCUS on the advocacy front. As the political climate continues to reveal new challenges for key programs that alleviate the impacts of poverty and hunger, we have been at the forefront of faithful engagement on the issue of hunger.
FOCUS, Hunger Action Organizations
Support Each Other in Common Goals
At its annual pre-Thanksgiving press conference to raise awareness about poverty and hunger, the Faith & Hunger Network (FHN)
emphasized that hunger is a 365-day-a-year problem caused by policy decisions made in Washington, DC, and Albany. Speakers called
upon legislators to end what FHN terms “an urgent moral scandal.”
FOCUS advocates joined with many like-minded organizations to
support the Nov. 22 event. Among them were the Sisters of St. Mark Dunlea of Hunger Action Network of New York State addresses
Joseph, who carried the key message that “Food is a Human community and press members.
Right.”
Earlier in the fall, FOCUS joined with advocates from
Retreat Promotes Advocacy
throughout New York State to organize the Hunger Action
To Create a Fair New York
Network’s (HANNYS) agenda for the coming year. They
The Faith for a Fair New York
gathered at New York City’s historic Riverside Church on
retreat,
organized by the Labor
Sept. 29 for the meeting, which included panels and workReligion Coalition and NYS Counshops on advocacy methods and strategies.
cil of Churches, enabled FOCUS
FOCUS and Hunger Action Network representatives
staff and program volunteers to
carpooled down to the city with fellow advocates from Hunconnect with others throughout
Rev. Deb Jameson (far left) moderates a ger Solutions New York, The Food Pantries of the Capital
the state to strengthen our networkshop on engaging food program District, and Schenectady Inner City Ministries and with
works for more effective advocacy.
guests in the work of advocacy.
volunteers from the Interfaith Food Pantry.
Speakers presented valuable insights and strategies for advocacy
on the issues of a living wage, the
In the summer, FOCUS took istries, student organizations, is our responsibility to give back
school-to-prison pipeline, singlea leap in applying for a grant and among FOCUS congrega- and get involved with our compayer health care, and immigraadministered by the American tions. Since the start of Hungry munities. Although I do not
tion reform.
Baptist Foundation. They sought for Justice, new relationships struggle with access to healthy
to partner with organizations with young adults in our commu- foods, it is important for me to
working on the issue of poverty nity have emerged.
do my part by advocating for
and “Seeking Justice: Living and
Sarah Russo, 28, the very those who are less fortunate
Leaning into Isaiah 1:17.” We first participant, said it best in through Hungry for Justice."
decided to go for it with the sup- her own words: “I wanted to get
“I am interested in meeting
port of member church Emman- involved in food justice at a local like-minded young people in the
uel Baptist. Our application pro- level rather than just sitting at area who care about injustice
posed a new project to engage 18 home reading books about it, but and inequality issues, such as
-29-year-olds in anti-hunger ad- in the past I’ve found it difficult access to food, shelter, and
vocacy: Hungry for Justice.
to connect with other like- decent wages,” said Joanna
When we found out we were minded people in my age group Nadeau. “I have been passionate
awarded the grant, it was offi- about any community issues.”
about serving those who suffer
Retreat participant Edith Leet offers
cially go-time! We began reachChris Cupernall described from hunger and homelessness
a personal perspective on the work
ing out to Albany’s campus min- his participation: "I think that it
(continued on page 6)
of advocacy.
FOCUS Seeks Young Adults Who Are ‘Hungry for Justice’
Teach-In on Minimum Wage Mobilizes Advocates
A Community teach-in on November 20 brought together workers, community members, social justice organizers, and service providers to discuss
the minimum-wage issue and specific
actions to take in the upcoming weeks
to raise the minimum wage, protect
workers’ rights, and end the subminimum wage of tipped workers.
Tipped workers currently earn $5
per hour and are expected to receive
tips to bring their wage to $8 an
hour. Employers are required to
make up the difference if the $8-an-
FOCUS Advocates Joanna Nadeau from Emmanuel Baptist (left) and Barbara Bailey from
St. Vincent’s Parish were key organizers for
the Teach-in.
hour figure is not reached. Often, however, employers do not comply.
Editor’s Note: On December 9, the New York State Department of Labor Wage
Board completed its hearings on raising the minimum wage for tipped workers. Below is the testimony of FOCUS Churches of Albany for the Wage Board
2014 Hearing. It was submitted by Executive Director Rev. Debra Jameson
and Coordinator of Advocacy Elizabeth Glassanos.
As a coalition of seven faith communities in the Capital Region, and in
partnership with many more interfaith project partners, FOCUS testifies in
strong support of including tipped workers in the minimum wage.
We urge you to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers. The
current system of low wages and subminimum wages for tipped work-ers
neglects the reality of poverty and hunger throughout New York State,
where nearly 3 million people experience hunger or “food insecurity.”*
FOCUS operates a large soup kitchen and food pantry for families experiencing
hunger. Approximately 400+ households are served through our programs on an
ongoing basis throughout the year. This is just a small slice of the large network
of emergency food programs that are operating throughout New York State.
Many of these programs are serving men and women who are currently
working minimum-wage jobs, many of them in the service industries where
their earnings are dependent upon the whim of customer tips.Many of their
employers do not ensure their full compensation through the tip credit.
When families do not have enough income, they go hungry. Hardworking men
and women are turning to food pantries, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters to
feed and house themselves and their children because their wages are too low.
Since 1984 we have operated “temporary” food programs that cannot yet
close because of the high need in our community. Food insecurity is a chronic
issue. Individuals and families are unable to afford enough food,not just in
our neighborhood here in Center Square, but across the Capital Region and
throughout New York State.
We need YOU to be advocates for the dignity of a day’s work. The hardearned wage of work should pull you out from under poverty, not keep you
entrapped within its cycle.
*http: / / w w w . f eedingameric a. org/ h un ge rinameric a/ ourres e arch/
mapthemealgap-/2012/ny_allcountiesmmg_2012.pdf