While many in the U.S. think of August as the last breath of summer, a time to squeeze in a last bit of relaxation before the rush of the fall begins, the Daughters of Charity were doing anything but relaxing this past August. They were busy organizing to make the most of the August congressional recess – the month when members of Congress are back in their districts and eager to engage with constituents. Groups of Daughters arranged and participated in meetings with their members of Congress to advocate for the nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which are included in the Farm Bill.

A group of Sisters from Emmitsburg, MD traveled to meet with Representative David Trone at his district office. During the meeting, the Sisters were able to share their experiences serving people on the margins and the importance of Farm Bill nutrition programs. They also learned about some of the work that Rep. Trone is doing to address food insecurity, including some of the bills he’s introduced to help meet the needs of people living in food deserts.

Rep. David Trone with Srs. Anne Marie Lamoureux, Patricia Nee, Nancy Stewart, and Mary Fran Hildenberger.

In Missouri, Srs. Julie Cutter and Denise LaRock teamed up with Stephen Uram, the National Director of Poverty Programs for the National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, to meet with staff from Senators Hawley and Schmitt’s offices. They shared about the history of the Daughters and the Society both internationally and in St. Louis and delivered the Vincentian message that our government has the responsibility to feed vulnerable families and children! They gave witness to impact of food insecurity on students in the classroom and told stories about the faces of men, women and children who come to St. Vincent’s Parish for dinner 10 nights a month, the people who come to the lunch window every day, and the seniors who rely upon the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

Stephen Uram and Srs. Denise LaRock and Julie Cutter meet with staff from Senators Hawley and Schmitt’s offices.

Finally, in Maryland a group of youth organized to raise their voices! Sr. Mary Jo Stein gathered students ages 7 to 20 and their teachers who participated in the Stillmeadow Community Summer Environmental Program to advocate for the Farm Bill and Environmental Justice for All Act. The group met with staff from Senators Van Hollen and Cardin’s offices and shared their stories, emphasizing the importance of these two bills.

Students from the Stillmeadow Community Summer Environmental Program meet with staff from Senators Van Hollen and Cardin’s offices.

Congress failed to pass the reauthorization of the Farm Bill before it expired on September 30, so the work to protect the nutrition programs in the bill continues. These programs provide a critical lifeline to people experiencing poverty so it is essential that Congress immediately take up the Farm Bill reauthorization and ensure these important programs are protected in the bill. May the Daughters’ advocacy inspire us to join the advocacy effort!