|
A Shabbat Message
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner teaches us that every blessing offers us an opportunity to pause, a moment that allows holiness to enter.
The blessing that we are about to speak at our Shabbat tables, the motzi, provides us that sacred pause--but may give us pause in another sense. There is a precious duality embedded in our religious tradition: we who have abundant blessings also have a particular obligation toward those whose blessings are limited, in this case by hunger.
In these difficult economic times, exacerbated by the trauma of war our country is experiencing and the escalation of poverty and hunger, low-wage workers lose their source of livelihood.
MAZON, its donors and its grantees have given the Jewish community a path to acknowledge both our blessings and our obligations. And, blessedly, Jews throughout America have responded with outstretched hands and spirits.
On this Shabbat, even as we imagine a world more perfect than the one we know, please take a moment to share this message with your family and friends. |
|
 |
| |
Interfaith Work and Partnership Building
Idaho Community Action Network (ICAN)
Boise, ID
Diversity, collaboration, long-term vision and community organizing are all hallmarks of the successful anti-hunger and anti-poverty work conducted by ICAN. A long-time MAZON partner, ICAN’s main strength emanates from empowering low- and moderate-income community activists through trainings and hands-on advocacy. As a state-based network, ICAN brings together interfaith organizations and diverse communities made of farm-workers, Native American, immigrants, and grassroots  communities from all walks of life. The group’s inclination toward diversity and collaboration does not stop there, and ICAN has reached all generations by recently implementing a youth mobilization and empowerment component. The youth leadership development program engages younger people in legislative advocacy with the goal to raise policy-makers’ consciousness about systemic poverty and hunger faced by all generations. The diversity and cohesion of ICAN partners are key factors in the group’s strong base. ICAN success also is grounded in a service mix that includes direct food assistance as well as advocacy and grassroots organizing. The organization also works across issue areas including food stamp access, poverty alleviation, minimum wage increase, and immigrants’ rights. ICAN is a keen example of how mixing different approaches and voices can be an effective conduit to serving communities, while paving the path toward eradicating hunger and poverty. |
back to top |
| |
| |
A Vital Commitment in Times of Emergency
Kenya’s Civil Strife and MAZON's Vital Support to the International Medical Corps (IMC) Hunger Relief Efforts
With all the resources available globally, it actually does seem possible to end hunger one day, and every day through our work we feel that we come a step closer to such a noble goal. While the daily struggles of millions of people dealing with hunger is a constant reminder of the intractability of this problem, it sometimes takes tragic events to remind us that we have a long way to go to actually end hunger. One such tragedy: The civil strife in the East African country of Kenya, which reinforced how our work is indeed vital and why we must stand ready to respond to rising hunger-relief needs around the globe.
When the disputed result of the December 27, 2007 election sparked widespread violence in Kenya, MAZON paired its efforts with the International Medical Corps, one of the first emergency responders to begin assisting some of the over 300,000 displaced people who need aid all across Kenya. IMC relief efforts are focused on the hardest hit areas of the country -- the vast slums of Kibera, and the Rift Valley. In  such a chaotic environment, IMC is well positioned to provide support because the group has been present in the area for years, and has developed and set into action well-functioning health and nutrition relief programs. Currently, in response to the civil crisis, IMC staff are seeing 300 patients a day and is providing food and nutritional support to a majority of women and children who cannot afford or find food during these times of distress.
While the level of violence has receded, tensions remain high and displaced people are in great need for food and health care. We are hopeful that the situation will stabilize somewhat in the near future, and for now, we are pleased to have a dependable partner in country. We are as always thankful to our generous donors and all those who support our efforts to alleviate hunger. |
|
| back to top |
|
From the Toolbox
Happy Tax Season!
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal income tax credit that is refunded to qualified taxpayers after their taxes have been paid. Even if someone does not have to pay any taxes on his/her income, that person may still qualify for a refund. EITC is based on the amount of earned income; it is set up on a sliding scale and can be claimed by filing a federal income tax return. For more information on EITC click here, or you can visit the website of one of MAZON's long-time grantees, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Click here for a link to its National Tax Credit Outreach Campaign.
Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit (AEITC) allows taxpayers who expect to qualify for the Earned Tax Credit and have at least one qualifying child to receive part of the credit in each paycheck during the year. If someone expects to qualify for the EITC in 2008 and wants to receive some of the credit during the year, that person has to complete an IRS Form W-5 (Earned Income Credit Advance Payment Certificate) and give it to his/her employeer. The AEITC payments will be included in that person's pay. For more information, click here.
Funding Resources
If you are looking for and easy, free and additional funding resources online, www.fundnetservices.com offers comprehensive information on grant opportunities.
Passover 2008
Passover is right around the corner. For quick access to MAZON's Passover 2008 materials, click here.
|
|
| back to top |
|
