Washington Was Down but Hunger Advocates in Illinois Were Not

Bread for the World regional organizer Zachary Schmidt (far left) meeting with Chicago pastors and community leaders to organize a call-in day targeting Sen. Dick Durbin. (Photo courtesy of David Swanson).

By Zach Schmidt

Congressional offices in Washington, D.C., shut down on Tuesday, Oct. 30, due to Hurricane Sandy, but that didn't stop hunger advocates in Illinois from pulling off a successful call-in day targeting Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

With our thoughts and prayers with those who lost loved ones to the ravages of Sandy, Illinoisans worked doubly hard to preserve the circle of protection that helps so many, both at home and abroad. Many activists placed not one, but two calls that day, making the effort to reach Sen. Durbin's district office in Chicago—which was open and operating last week—after learning that his D.C. office was closed.

Those who follow Bread for the World's issues may wonder why we focused energy on Sen. Durbin, one of the strongest champions for hungry and poor people in Congress. The answer is simple: to encourage him to “keep it up” in these turbulent times. When it comes to finding a way forward for our nation, everything is on the table, from spending cuts (including cuts to vital safety net programs) to tax increases. On Capitol Hill, there is great pressure to come to a budget agreement—any agreement—especially for Sen. Durbin, who is in a position of leadership. But we in Illinois say, “not on the backs of our most vulnerable neighbors.”

We Illinoisans say, “Senator Durbin, thank you for protecting poor and hungry people. As a leader in the Senate and with the 'Gang of Eight,' the bipartisan group of senators working on a framework that will address our nation’s deficit. Continue to push your colleagues to protect programs such as SNAP, WIC, and tax credits in the U.S., and poverty-focused assistance abroad. We support you as you do this.”