CTA National has signed on as a co-sponsor of Bread for the World's 1997 Offering of Letters. The outpouring of letters from churches and synagogues to the Congress this year seeks passage of the Hunger Has a Cure Act of 1997, H.R. 1507, a bill BFW helped write to strengthen the nation's nutrition safety net by expanding a variety of federal nutrition programs.

By mid-August over 70 House members of both parties were co-sponsoring the bill, which would increase food stamps, supplemental nutrition for women, infants and children (WIC), and emergency food assistance. Parallel legislation will be introduced soon in the Senate. The measure seeks to reverse the tide of deep cuts in nutrition and anti-poverty programs entailed in both the 1996 welfare reform act and the latest balanced budget agreement.

CTA is one of 40 BFW interfaith co-sponsors, along with Baptist World Aid, Church World Service (National Council of Churches), MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, CARE, Oxfam America, Catholic Charities USA, and Catholic Relief Services.

Your parish or local community can participate in the 1997 Offering of Letters. To obtain an organizing kit, a BFW handbook for the 195th Congress, and many other resources, call 1 800-82-BREAD
E-mail: bread@igc.apc.org