2010 Offering of Letters:  Help End Domestic Hunger Through Compassionate Tax Policy
        

Bread for the World's central focus for 2010 is domestic hunger, a major concern of BFW's advocacy for many years, but this year's emphasis is not primarily on food programs.  Nutrition programs alone are not enough to help many overcome hunger.  Low-income families also need broader measures that reduce poverty and help them build financial stability.  Because tax changes passed earlier this decade are soon to expire, BFW's comprehensive strategy for 2010 will focus on changing US tax policy so that low-income people and families can keep more of their income, primarily by increasing and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and other tax credits for low-income families. 
        

Bread for the World asks its members to urge Congress to adopt changes to US tax policy that will benefit low-income families.  Tax policy will be near the top of Congress' agenda this year, and the debate over which taxes to change and which to renew risks overlooking the needs of low income people. 
        

The White House now has sent its FY2011 budget request to Congress.  Their budget would make permanent the expansions to the EITC and the Child Tax Credit that were included in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  These provisions increase EITC benefits for families with three or more children and make more low-income families eligible for benefits from the Child Tax Credit.  The inclusion of these provisions is a strong indication of the President's priorities as Congress begins to consider its budget resolution.  BFW's Offering of Letters asks Congress to protect and strengthen these key tax credits that can make a big difference for low-income workers and their families.

Sample Letter

Sen. Richard Lugar                                    Sen. Evan Bayh                                    Rep. Mike Pence
306 Hart Senate Office Bldg.                 463 Russell Senate Office Bldg.            1134 Meridian Plaza
Washington, DC  20510                      Washington, DC  20510                             Anderson, IN  46016
       202-224-4814                                         202-224-5623                                     765-640-2919
senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov          senator_bayh@bayh.senate.gov      mike.pence@mail.house.gov

Dear Rep. Pence / Sen. ______________ ,

With over 12 million American kids at risk of hunger, our nation needs a serious, comprehensive strategy to end childhood hunger.  In addition to having access to adequate food programs, it is vital that low-income families be helped to meet other basic needs so they are not forced to reduce nutrition in order to afford shelter, transportation, medicine, and childcare.  Unfortunately, many of your constituents in Randolph County are faced with such choices every day.

The President's FY2011 budget request includes making permanent the expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit that were included in last year's "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act."  According to Bread for the World, the EITC in 2005 lifted more than 5 million people above the poverty line, including 2.6 million children.  These programs work, and I support them.

Given the lengthy recession and the harm it is inflicting on low-income Americans, more must be done to help them.  Nearly 25% of US children are in households that struggle to put food on the table.  Strengthening the EITC and the Child Tax Credit is a way to work towards the day when no Randolph County parent has to send a child to bed hungry.

In the current Congressional rush to cut taxes and spending, I implore you to show compassion by protecting and strengthening these key tax credits that can make all the difference for low-income workers and their families.

                                                                                                              Sincerely,