During the week of January 26th, a recovery package with nutrition program investments and other targeted relief cleared the U.S. House of Representatives. A companion bill is scheduled for vote in the Senate early in the week of February 2nd.

Spread the word and help fight hunger in Alaska. Contact Alaska’s Senators, Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich today. Urge them to support a strong economic recovery package that includes nutrition and other targeted assistance to get the economy moving and cushion the blow on struggling families.

Call 866-544-7573 or 800-828-0498 and ask to be connected to the office of Senator Murkowski or Senator Begich. When the staffer answers the phone, be sure to identify yourself as an Alaskan. Give them your message, and do the same for the other Senator’s office. If you have trouble getting through you can call direct to:

o Senator Lisa Murkowski – 202-224-6665

o Senator Mark Begich – 202-224-3004

The phone lines have been very busy, so be patient and persistent if you have trouble connecting with the Senators’ offices.

Overall, the economic recovery plan has a good balance of quick aid that will boost the economy within months, and investments that will help the economy over the next two years. Our Senators need to know that you support this balanced approach.

Among the priorities in the Senate economic recovery package are:

• Increases in food stamp benefits (SNAP)
• Funding for the WIC program
• Funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
• Expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC)
• Improvements in unemployment insurance
• Aid to states to prevent cuts in Medicaid, education and other services
• Creation of renewable energy and health care jobs
• Assistance to low-income students and poor people with disabilities
• Investment in public housing and low-income communities

For information on the impacts in Alaska, check out this Center on Budget and Policy Priorities publication: http://www.cbpp.org/1/22/09bud.htm.

This alert has been provided by The Food Bank of Alaska. For more information, contact: rstilwell@foodbankofalaska.org.