8

We Need Your Help

This is our summer appeal. Your contributions make a positive difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors. (Our full appeal letter is at www.focuschurches.net/sa)
The FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry is now providing a 6-day supply of groceries to an average of 375 families each month. The FOCUS Breakfast Express Program is serving more than 200 meals two days 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.

FOCUS
Vol. 7, No. 2 June 2013

Advocacy Efforts Strive For a Hunger-Free World

Looking Ahead
July 7 FOCUS Worship, 9:30 at Emmanuel Baptist, August 4 FOCUS Worship, 9:30a.m. at Trinity United Methodist, August 26-28 School Supplies Program: Preparing backpacks, FUUSA, 10 a.m.-noon August 29-31 School Supplies program: distributing backpacks, FUUSA 10 a.m.1 p.m. September 1, FOCUS Worship, 9:30 a.m. First Presbyterian, September 10, Golf Outing, Orchard Creek Golf Course, Altamont
FOCUS is the collaboration of six covenanting churches, joined by five faith affiliates, united in a common calling to serve neighbors' needs in Albanys Capitol Hill and beyond as Gods servant people in a broken and hurting world.

Name ____________________________________ Phone _________________________________ Address __________________________________ E-mail ________________________________

Please return to: FOCUS, 275 State Street, Albany NY 12210 Advocacy Efforts...
(continued from page 1)

Appreciation of Diversity...

(continued from page 2)

for the World). The advocacy skills gained were then put to use by six FOCUS Advocates who attended the four-day conference Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC. It culminated in meetings with our United States senators and representatives on Capitol Hill. (See related story on page 2.) Most recently, Advocates have been a consistent voice in meetings with County Executive Dan McCoy and Assemblywoman Pat Fahy as we encourage a cohesive effort toward serving our neighbors. If you are interested in joining FOCUS Advocates, please contact Beth Glassanos at bethg@focus churches.net or call her at 443-0460.

My mind wandered to holidays spent with my family. Elbow to elbow in the kitchen, laughing, squabbling, and struggling. Sometimes yelling in excitement or anxiety to get things done before the company arrives, often times under financial and emotional stress to put a meal on the table for friends and relatives to enjoy. It reminded me of how we must come together, diverse as we are, and share in the work to be done, in order to share in the fruits of our labor. Rev. Jaramillos message compelled me to grasp the idea that we can honor our diversity in this work of advocacynot to (one day) attain diversity at the table of a more just food system. We can honor our diversity now. I was reminded that the work of advocacy requires the voice of every person. There were people in our lobby group who HAVE experienced hunger and could testify to the notion that there IS hunger in the United States. They spoke up and carried our shared message in a personal and meaningful way. Sometimes advocacy appears to be the battle and cause of one group on behalf of the plight of another. But Rev. Jaramillo reminded us that only a diverse group of many voices can struggle together in pursuit of a shared harvest.

FOCUS Advocates have had their hands on the pulse of organizing and advocacy in 2013. Our advocacy began early this year when NYS Senator Neil Breslin visited the Winter Breakfast Program on January 3rd to discuss local efforts to serve low-income people. In February, advocates lobbied with the Hunger Action Network to push for increased funding for emergency feeding programs in New York State. FOCUS Advocates met with NYS Assembly Members Pat Fahy, Angelo Santabarbara, and Phil Steck. Raising the minimum wage and food-stamp funding were also frontline agenda items. More than 50 people from our congregations have taken the SNAP challenge by pledging to eat for one week on a food stamp budget of $4.50 per day. (See related story on page 6.) FOCUS Advocates have provided forums to join conversation on two antipoverty documentaries, The Line and A Place at the Table. Both films are still available. Call 443-0460 for details.

. On March 13, FOCUS participated in the Faith & Hunger Network Forum with guest speaker Larry Hollar (Bread (continued on page 8)

A Summer Snapshot
by Rev. Deb Jameson, Director
Greetings! In these pages you will get a summer snapshot of FOCUS in motion: Horticultural events for kids at local family shelters, community worship services, our annual school supply drive, pantry and breakfast programs, conversations with elected officials, and community gardening. Glean insights from seminary intern Vee Abbitt's thoughts on her time at FOCUS, staff Beth Glassanos' reflections on being with 800 people of faith at Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC, and a FOCUS community member who teaches us all something about the value of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called food stamps. Since 1967, the FOCUS Churches of Albany (six covenant churches, four Pantry affiliates, and numerous partner project faith communities) have joined together as Gods servant people in programs of community service and common worship. We celebrate our diversity; we work together in unity. We welcome all to join us in the adventure of putting feet to our faith.

IN FOCUS 275 State Street Albany, NY 12210

State Senator Neil Breslin meets with advocates Beth Glassanos and Joy Perkett.

Advocacy Conference Sparks Appreciation of Diversity

by Beth Glassanos, FOCUS Staff
Editors Note: Six FOCUS staff and volunteers attended the Ecumenical Advocacy Days Conference in Washington, DC, in April. The theme this year was A Place at the Table. The speakers shared inspiring messages and stories of true ingenuity in community organizing for food justice. All of the attendees were eager to be involved in making change for the better. Despite the overflowing positivity and beauty of this four-day conference, I still got a discouraged feeling when I thought of the uphill battle that waited at home in Albany. The long battle for justice through advocacy is just that. Long. TOO LONG. I ask myself, When will we arrive, when will we be done with this work? The same people arrive to our breakfast programs; chronic homelessness in Albany appears to be an institutionalized system of poverty. Regardless of that irritating reminder, I mustered up my zeal and a fake it til you make it facade of positivity. Our Albany lobby group visited Congressman Tonkos office on Monday, April 8, and what I learned knocked me down: Tonkos legislative director told us that many of their colleagues in Congress do not believe hunger exists in the United States. Brief as the comment was, it made me question my mission and place within FOCUS, working on an

Individuals, Organizations Help FOCUS Thrive

Contributions Made Between January 1 and May 31, 2013
Individuals Viola Abbitt Will Ackerly Jane and George Allen Anonymous Laurie Beberwyck N.R. Benedict Elizabeth Berberian Susan and Albin Berzinis Diane and John Bossung Carolyn Bradley Leslie Bristol Martha and Peter Brown T.J. and P.M. Burch Dorinda Campano Andrea Carver, in memory of Lewis F Carver and Maria Kirchhofer Carver Elaine Clawson Priscilla Crago Judy Creighton, in honor of Bob Lamar Sally Dallinger Richard and Dawn Dana Gerard Deighan Betty Devine Arden and Marilyn Dockter Kevin Dulin Frederick Eames Deb Fagans William and Marjory Fuller Lawrence Gambino Todd and Brita Gieryic Gary David Gold Jerel and Geraldine Golub J. Kenneth Graham Barry and Karen Greene Annie Greenlee Anne Gregory, in honor of Edith Leet Lois Griffin Judith Hanson Katharine B. Harris Marion and John Harwick Lee Helsby Josephine Hennessy Ray and Katherine Henrikson Kathleen Hodges Becky Hudak Glenn and Donna Humphreys Pat and Bob Hunziker E. Louise Jameson Annette Johnson John Kalas Karen Kaufmann Carole & Rit Keith Fran and Bob Kamp Dawn Knutson Rose Mary and Sam Koonce Nancy Landrigan Francis Madigan Barbara and Chuck Manning Don and Judy Mark Jeffrey Matthews Linda Mayou Peter and Donna Meixner James and Margaret Miller, in memory of Carolyn Garvin Laura M. Moody Paula and Steven Moskowitz Eileen Hoffman and David Munro David and Martha Musser Rebecca & Russ Myer Lynnette Noonan John and Donna Overbeck/Crego Laura Paris Leslie Phelan Ruth Pushee Andrea Ricard Barbara Rio Nancy and John Rodgers Faustino T. Chuck Rodriguez Randy Rosette Peter C. Sarinelli Peter and Nancy Schiff Mary P & Keith Scott Harriet Seeley, grateful for my family Sherri Septer Geraldine L. Shanley, in honor of all of Rev Deb's hard work Julia Shaw Peter B. Shawhan, in memory of Captain Timothy Moshier Irving Smith Susan Sneeringer Elaine and Walter Spoor, in memory of Linda Spoor Kwong Linda and Bob Stevens, in honor of Dr. Art Hengerer's 100th birthday; Sue and Al Easton's 50th wedding anniversary; and Dwight and Rachel Smith's 60th wedding anniversary Diane Symansky, celebrating a new grandson, Dillon Thomas Robert and Lois Thomson Ray and Barbara Warner Lora Wesner Robert and Leslie Westphal Robert and Joann White Margery and Michael Whiteman Lois Wilson, in honor of Beth Glassanos Nancy Wood Sheila Wrede Bill and Amy Yates Margaret Zettle Organizations Advanced Physical Therapy Tom and Sandra Marston American Baptist Churches USA Justice Committee BJs Charitable Foundation D. Brickman Produce and Seafood Delmar Reformed Church Mission Team ELCA Domestic Hunger Program Emmanuel Baptist Benevolence Feinstein Foundation First Church in Albany (Reformed) First Presbyterian Church Outreach/Mission Committee First United Methodist Church First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany GE FoundationMatching Gifts Homeless & Traveler's Aid Society of the Capital District Journey United Church of Christ New Covenant Presbyterian Church MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger Post 1520, American Legion Auxilliary St. Andrew's Episcopal Church United Church of Christ Westminster Presbyterian Mission Committee Wilson, Stark & Basila Women of the ELCA (Upstate NY Synod), Justice and Witness

FOCUS Advocates gather before a meeting with Senator Kirsten Gillibrands staff. They are (l-r) Edith Leet, Beth Glassanos, Rev. Mark Chaffin, Gradia Gbarbea, Becca Leet, and Rev. Deb Jameson.

Two Summer Interns Arrive

FOCUS welcomes Andrea Holroyd to the staff as a summer seminary intern. Andrea holds a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. This past year she has been a part of our community as the Director of Christian Education for Westminster Presbyterian Church and as a Clinical Pastoral Education Chaplain at Albany Medical Center. Andrea will be dividing her time between FOCUS and the Capital Region Theological Center, June through August. FOCUS also welcomes Cassandra Aversa to the staff as a summer intern. Cassie is a student at Russell Sage College seeking a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor In Spanish. She will be spending most of her time this summer lending a hand in the pantry. Cassie begins her senior year at Russell Sage in the fall.

agenda to strengthen hunger programs. How can I possibly be part of an effort to strengthen nutrition programs when the beliefs of our representatives negate a fundamental premise of our advocacy? Trying to avoid discouragement, I sought meaning in the message of the conference. A place at the table. A Place at Gods table. One EAD speaker, Rev. Linda Jaramillo, spoke about what happens before we can enjoy a place at the table. I scribbled it down furiously because I knew Id have to hang onto her words: Harvesting (of food) is more than the work that it is. It is about preparation. It is about preparation for the community to come together to share together in the harvest. We must work together and not just advocate for, we must advocate with. We must know that diversity is an integral piece of community organizing. Her words reminded me of the joy and struggle of the preparation of food, the preparation of advocacy. (continued on page 8)

Loan Fund Boosts Local Enterprise

What do Tailorama in Albany, Better Neighborhoods in Schenectady, GEM Buffalo Farms in Castleton and 2 Twisted Ladies Ice Cream shop in Greene County all have in common? They are all financed by the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region with dollars from socially concerned investors including FOCUS Churches of Albany. Founded in 1985, the Community Loan Fund is a nonprofit financial institution with a community development mission offering investors a tangible way to help their neighbors and communities and to promote economic justice. For more information, go to www.mycommunityloanfund.org , or call 436-8586.

Join Us for FOCUS Worship This Summer

July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1 9:30 a.m.

The Food Stamp Challenge: Another View

by a member of the FOCUS Churches
Editors Note: As of June 8th, over 50 families and individuals have taken the FOCUS Food Stamp Challenge for a week or more. The article below represents the experience of a FOCUS Church member who did not take the Challenge by choice. Since my first hearing of the Food Stamp Challenge and the call to participate has entered into many conversations, there are a few things that quite simply just bug me. I have kept my mouth shut thinking that perhaps my family's own personal experience during the economic downturn and our circumstances around being on Food Stamps is so poignant that I somehow am misjudging the fervency of those who are now electing to participate in the Challenge. There are several misconceptions that really need to be clarified. First of all. No one chooses to be on Food Stamps. It is not a game where we have a choice to opt out. It is a dire situation where your choice is, "Do I feed my children?" or "Do I put off paying the utility bill?" There is a misconception that Food Stamp recipients are under-educated and under-skilled. Not so. Sometimes you can't get a because, as one potenDo I feed my job tial employer told my husband, "You have 'mad children, or skills'. You have too much do I put off experience. You would be bored with this job." To paying the which my husband reutility plied, "I have a family. I need to feed them." Even with an MBA you can be eligible for social services. Our family being able to receive money to buy food was an incredible blessing! Imagine asking God to help you provide for your family of five and you receive a gift of over $600 a month! Wow! We called that an answer to prayer. Our family's challenge was not living on Food Stamps, it was the unknown of economic security. We went for two years and eight months without full-

Can You Eat Well on $4.50 a Day?

Will You Join Us and Give It a Try?

time work. That is what we called a challenge. During our sojourn on Food Stamps we actually had some very enjoyable times. We learned that food money goes much further when you cook from scratch. Nothing warms a body and soul more than a big pot of soup that has been cooking on the stove for many hours. We learned that a bag of flour can be turned into many loaves of delicious bread. We delighted in the warm moments of laughter and conversation at the family table where we could all share in the meals together. After our family became eligible for food stamps, going to the grocery store was actually a relief. You don't get stamps. You get a type of credit card that discreetly gets swiped at the checkout line. At the beginning of each month, you get your month's monetary allotment, and it is up to you to spend until it runs out. You can't image what a pleasure it was to be able to go through the grocery store and buy what our family needed without having to add the price of every single item in our heads. Yet, being on Food Stamps comes with a huge stigma. We didn't go around letting people know. We would choose lines at the grocery store where we hoped that no one we knew would come behind us in line. We didn't let our children know. We called it "the card." Our children never really knew how bad off we really were because there was food on the table. By the grace of God, we are no longer on food stamps. We are now the new and re-defined American family working multiple jobs for too many hours in order to make ends meet. We are not alonenot by any means. We are tired, we are challenged, and we are grateful for the help we got when we really needed it. I would hope that many would go on the Food Stamp Challenge. Not because it 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 is something nice to do in order to Churches of Albany, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization covenanting with Delmar find out how others on the other Reformed, Emmanuel Baptist, First Presbyterian, First Israel AME, Trinity United Methodist, side are doing it but rather beand Westminster Presbyterian. Affiliates of the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry Program are cause perhaps your next door Congregation Beth Emeth, First Church in Albany, First Unitarian Universalist Society of neighbor has been doing it all Albany, New Covenant Presbyterian, and St. Andrews Episcopal. along and you never knew. The FOCUS office is located at 275 State St., Albany NY 12210.

Breakfast Express got underway in April, serving cereal, eggs, toast, juice, and beverages every Tuesday and Wednesday. Among those who make it happen are (l -r) Paul Lamar, Deb Catozzi, Jane Lax, Kathy Moore, Nancy Ost, Ben Quaye, and Judy Henningson.

Reflections from Seminary Intern Vee Abbitt

Working as a volunteer at FOCUS was an immensely rich experience. Not only did I work in the food pantry and the breakfast program, but I also had the opportunity to experience worship at all of the covenantal churches, and I was able to meet with their ministers as well. I could write endlessly about many of the things that I witnessed which demonstrated to me the importance of FOCUS and the impact that it has on others. But there were also many other things that I learned. I learned that even though the covenantal churches identify themselves by different denominations, there is really not much more difference between them than a name. FOCUS is an example of working across boundaries. I learned about the dedication and commitment of the leadership, staff and volunteers to help alleviate the plight of the poor. Everything that we do involves a choice. That these people have chosen to do the work of FOCUS, as opposed to something else, shows the degree of importance it has for them. I learned about the importance of patience, listening, firmness, compassion, smiles and laughter from the interactions between the volunteers and staff. I learned more about my growing edges and many of my personal experiences resulted in several "takeaways" that I hope will help me in the years ahead. Space and time prevent me from going into too much detail here, but some of them are: Always think of new ways to build community. Try to bridge the gap between churches and other faith organizations to develop synergies. Make sure that you have active participation from the people you are trying to help, and the way that you do that is to find out what they think they need. Love the people you serve. Be careful of what you say. Humor is a tricky thing. Really be there for the people you are serving. You can never underestimate how much mere presence can help. Helping people is not enough. We must make a way for them as well. Do not let pride of ownership in a project prevent you from working with others. As time passes, and I have more opportunity to think about the experiences that I had, I am sure more will be revealed to me. One thing is certain, I am truly blessed to have spent this last year with FOCUS.

"

bill?"

Walkers Fight Hunger Step by Step

More than 60 walkers from FOCUS member congregations "walked the walk" in the annual CROP Walk, Capital Area Council of Churches fundraiser for Church World Service and local feeding programs. As of June 4, $87,000 had been raised. FOCUS breakfast programs and the Interfaith Food Pantry will receive some of those funds.

Phone: 518-443-0460

FAX: 518-443-0461 Email: info@focuschurches.net

www.focuschurches.net

- Check out the Food Stamp challenge and participants blog on FOCUS website.

Green Grow the Gardens that FOCUS Inspires

Growing ones own food is an empowering activity in many ways. It offers the opportunity for healthy exercise in the fresh air. It gives the gardener a close-up look at the wonder of creation. It can engender feelings of excitement, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment. And it provides wholesome and delicious fresh food at a fraction of the cost of buying it at a store. FOCUS runs several programs during the summer to encourage people to become gardeners, even when they have no space of their own to plant a garden. of their choice. Tomatoes and peppers are especially popular. FOCUS partners "Seeds for Peace" and Gade Farm (via Nancy Sokil) provided the seedlings this year. As of June 7, 82 guests had become gardeners. The supplies are available through June.

Gardening in a Bucket, Kid Style

FOCUS Community Harvest Garden

Gardening in a Bucket

Gardening in a Bucket is for guests of the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry. Guests who are interested receive containers, potting soil, instructions, and seedlings for the vegetables

The growing season is well underway at the FOCUS Community Harvest garden at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 21 Hackett Boulevard, Albany. All the plants are in and doing well in this hot weather. Volunteer gardeners look forward to harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and other produce for the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry. More volunteers are needed to assist in watering and maintaining the garden. Please call or e-mail Becca Leet at 4430460 or beccal@focuschurches.net.

Gardening in a Bucket for Kids hit the road in May, visiting children at Schuyler Inn, the family homeless shelter. Eighteen children decorated their containers with colorful stickers and then planted tomatoes in them. During June, the bucket brigade will visit the Marillac Family Shelter and the First Church (Reformed) Urban Day Camp. Other sites are under consideration. Volunteers are needed. Please call (443-0460) or e-mail Becca Leet (beccal@focuschurches.net) for details.
FOCUS Volunteers plant tomatoes, peppers, and beans in the FOCUS garden behind St. Pauls Episcopal Church on Hackett Boulevard. Last year the garden produced 600 pounds of vegetables for the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry.

Supplies Help Students Gear Up for Successful School Beginning

FOCUS School Supplies collection is now under way, with sorting and distribution of supplies slated for late August. Some 250 students received full backpacks of grade-appropriate supplies last year, and boxes of extra supplies went to each of the Albany City School Districts 18 school programs. Supplies will be collected by congregations through July. During August, they can be taken to your congregation or directly to the First Unitarian Universalist Society (FUUSA) at 405 Washington Ave., (glass-doors entrance) on MondayThursday, 9 a.m. Noon. Volunteers will be needed in August to sort supplies, fill backpacks, and distribute full packs to the children who use the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry. Children who live at one of the homeless shelters also receive supplies. To volunteer, call (443-0460) or e-mail Becca Leet (beccal@focuschurches.net). All volunteer activity will take place at FUUSA. On August 26-28, volunteers will sort supplies and fill backpacks. On August 29-31, volunteers will distribute them. Both supplies and monetary contributions are needed to equip the children adequately for the start of the school year. Contributions should be marked FOCUS School Supplies and sent to FOCUS at 275 State Street, Albany 12210. Below are the supplies that students will need. Please help our children start school prepared.
#2 pencils (sharpened if possible) Pencil sharpeners Pens - blue or black Pencil pouches Pencil boxes, plastic 2 pink erasers Crayons - box of 24 Colored markers Colored pencils Yellow highlighters Glue sticks Glue bottles School scissors 12 Rulers Pocket folders Spiral notebooks wide-ruled and college-ruled 3-ring binders - 1 or 1 Notebook paper wide-ruled and college-ruled Marble composition books - wideruled and college-ruled 3 Sticky-back notes Combination locks Backpacks

Grow a Row for Our Pantry

If you are a gardener, consider putting in an extra row and donating the fresh produce to our FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry. Fresh produce provides a number of benefits to both the recipients and our community. First, fresh produce is healthier than canned goods. It has no excess salt or sugar and it looks and tastes a lot better. Second, it benefits our community because it has a much lower carbon footprint than processed foods do. Also, children who eat fresh vegetables tend to have healthier diets when they are adults. To donate to the Pantry, please call Pantry Manager Lorraine at 443-0460 or e-mail her at lorraineh@focus churches.net. Happy Gardening!
Two bicyclists from FOCUS Churches, Rev. Dave Corlett and Peter Broderick of Delmar Reformed Church, will be riding in the last leg of the Sea to Sea 2013 Bike Tour this August. The tour is a nine-week, 3,900-mile cycling trek across North America designed to raise awareness and funds in support of those living in poverty around the world. It is hosted by the Reformed Church in America, Partners Worldwide, and World Renew. The tour begins June 22, 2013, in Los Angeles and ends August 24, 2013, in New York City. Stops include Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Pella, Grand Rapids, Toronto, and Montreal. Rev. Dave and Peter will be riding the last leg from Montreal to Staten Island, August 1924. That stretch is 400 miles, about 65 miles a day. FOCUS will be eligible for some of the funds raised. Please support Dave and Peter as they ride by visiting http://seatosea.org/.