An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research
project of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State
University of New York.

New! "Bank" Lends Help with Taxes and Benefits, Boosts Poor People’s Assets

The Benefit Bank, a service created in 2002 by Solutions for Progress, Inc., helps low-income people with
tax preparation through a network of faith-based and community organizations. But the Benefit Bank, a for-
profit operation, doesn’t stop with just tax preparation. It also helps organizations link eligible people to
billions of dollars in public money that goes unclaimed each year for anti-poverty benefits such as food
stamps, Medicaid, and home heating. Benefit Bank sites in seven states and the District of Columbia are
one-stop anti-poverty shops that allow low- and moderate-income people to file electronically their federal
and state income tax returns while simultaneously determining their eligibility and applying for tax credits
and benefits.

The service is another example in a growing list of how faith-based and community organizations are
becoming America’s channels of communication in low-income neighborhoods, providing information
about government programs and assistance.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Correspondent Anne Farris.

Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility

The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs
administered by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security,
Justice, Labor, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs require specific technical expertise, or
experience with particular foreign countries.

Click here for the grant digest, compiled by Roundtable Correspondent Allison Sarnoff
with Lisa Montiel.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

State boosts children's home aid: $4.7 million found for private centers
The Courier-Journal (Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6367

Jail nice to visit, but wouldn't want to stay: The Justice Center is built to
allow for direct supervision, encouraging inmates to behave.
Rockford Register Star (Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6369

Police chief seeking backup; IMPD leader sending request to
ministers for frank talk aimed at ending violence
The Indianapolis Star (Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6370

Studies put abstinence funds at risk
Washington Times (Washington, DC)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6368

Charity can't meet IRS tax bill; PLM Families Together failed to pay federal
payroll taxes for three years and is seeking help from Wake's commissioners
The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6356

Texas Panel Rejects Required Bible Class: Texas Legislative Panel
Tones Down Bill Calling for Bible Classes in Public Schools
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6362

Lawmakers considering faith's place in schools and government
The Dallas Morning News (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6363

In Turnabout, Infant Deaths Climb in South
New York Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6364

Can I get an amen ... and an excused absence from public school?
The Beaumont Enterprise (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6365

Serving in the name of Love: Area churches do good for God
Waterloo Courier (Iowa)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6358

Prison ministry volunteers share stories, ideas at meeting
Natchez Democrat (Mississippi)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6359

Growth Opportunity: Faith-based groups show big impact on teens' lives
Herald & Review (Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6360

Feeding the belly, nourishing the soul
Inside Bay Area (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6361

The divine has a place on the road to recovery; A nationwide study found
that 85% of doctors surveyed believe faith has a positive effect on a patient's health.
Los Angeles Times (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6357

One cup at a time
Minneapolis Southwest Journal (Minnesota)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6339

New free clinic hopes to tend to bodies, souls
The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6340

Prayer bill a priority for some
Augusta Chronicle (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6341

The Well Community singular in goal to work with mentally disabled
The Baptist Standard (Texas)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6348

Edison food pantry flooded
Home News Tribune (New Jersey)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6349

Former inmates get help transitioning back into society
The Newport Daily News (Rhode Island)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6350

Outreach program helped ex-inmate to regain dignity
The Newport Daily News (Rhode Island)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6351

Ex-inmate says program helped him get on track
The Newport Daily News (Rhode Island)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6352

Drug Czar Praises City's Program; 7 Advisers Work
with 100 Douglass High Students In Faith-Based Plan
The Baltimore Sun (Maryland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6353

Faith-Based Groups Have Problems Obtaining Aid
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6343

San Francisco; Nonprofits' readiness for disaster studied
The San Francisco Chronicle (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6344

Church May Finance Ministry By Selling Its Windows
Religion News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6345

Faith groups respond quickly to shooting: Disaster response
organizations plan spiritual and emotional care in wake of tragedy.
Disaster News Network

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6346

As Study Debunks Abstinence-Only Education, Bill Introduced To Fight Teen Pregnancy
States News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6347

Grandmother hopes to face problems through new court program
The Idaho Statesman

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=6354

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 4/24/2007
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy promotes informed debate on the issue of publicly funded faith-based social service. Supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Roundtable provides independent, non-partisan research on the scope and scale of faith-based social services, their effectiveness, how public resources are being used in providing such services, and the legal and regulatory issues involved. The Roundtable's comprehensive web site makes this research and related information easily available. It can be accessed by clicking here:

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