Forming a Stronger Circle of Protection and the Congressional Black Caucus

We need a strategy that helps Bread’s audiences—from members of Congress to grassroots activists—remember what’s at stake. Political strategist Donna Brazile advised everyone attending the meeting to become proactive, to go back to our respective jurisdictions and make sure that before November 6, we--and everyone we know--have verified our voter registrations, found out what form of ID is needed to vote in the state, and checked the location of our polling places.

I attended several braintrusts and forums that focused specifically on U.S. poverty issues. Congressman Danny Davis (IL-07) held two braintrusts: “Child Welfare: Actions in this Disruptive Economy” and “Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Intergenerational Poverty and Incarceration: It’s a Family Affair.” The panelists at the "Child Welfare" braintrust were asked to answer this question: “In a time when most private and public agencies are being cut and seeing more family poverty, how can child welfare agencies meet the challenge ahead?” The consensus among the panelists was for people to hold policymakers accountable for funding these much-needed programs. (For more on nutrition programs that serve children, see “Fortifying the U.S. Nutrition Safety Net” in the Institute’s 2012 Hunger Report). Bread’s commitment to expanding the Circle of Protection helps ensure that the much-needed voices advocating for poor and vulnerable people are heard.

At this year’s CBC legislative conference, I listened to people from all over the country talk about voting rights, poverty, and the implications of impending budget cuts. Their comments and concerns provided vivid reminders that Bread members must keep the circle of protection intact. It’s essential to preventing poor and vulnerable people from suffering needlessly. In the United States, hunger and poverty are, in fact, unnecessary—even given today’s steep budget deficits and soaring national debt.

Cheryle Adams is the institute program associate at Bread for the World Institute.