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! Growing Food Crises and Demands for Aid Push Farm
Bill Forward

Skyrocketing oil and food prices, increased demands for humanitarian food relief, a devastating cyclone and
food shortage protests in dozens of countries have added a sense of urgency in recent weeks for Congress
to complete work on the Farm Bill. The bill finances domestic and international feeding programs, subsidies
to farmers, conservation programs and bio-energy initiatives.

America’s food banks and soup kitchens, most of which are operated by religious organizations, are facing
a combination of challenges that have become more severe at the same time Congress works to renew the
Farm Bill. Pantries report seeing a reduction in donations of federally purchased commodities, an increase
in the number of people asking for food because of the declining economy and rapidly rising food prices.
Internationally, the United Nations World Food Programme announced recently that it needed $755 million
to maintain its feeding services at existing levels.

The Farm Bill currently under consideration includes more money for humanitarian feeding programs, a new
domestic disaster aid program, and cuts in tax credits for some bio-fuel producers.

Click here to read more by Roundtable Washington Correspondent Anne Farris.

New! An Interview with Robert Zachritz of World Vision on the Global
Food Crisis

Robert Zachritz is director of advocacy and government relations for World Vision in the U.S. He is responsible
for creating the strategy on how the global Christian relief organization, with an annual budget topping $2 billion,
engages with the U.S. government on public policies that affect the world’s poor. His primary areas of specialty
include the annual meetings of the G8 countries and the congressional appropriations process; international
development assistance and trade; agricultural development and food aid; and global health issues.

Prior to joining World Vision in 2003, Zachritz worked for nearly 15 years for both Republican and Democratic
members of Congress. Most recently, he served as Rules Committee associate and foreign policy advisor for
former Representative Tony P. Hall (D-Ohio) who went on to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. food
organizations in Rome.

Click here to read the interview.

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 Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Labor, and
by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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

Click here for the grants digest.

Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories

Money raised to help pupils switch schools
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8234

$12 mil shelter to aid homeless moms, kids
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8236

Extended days eyed to reduce dropouts
The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Mississippi)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8237

Faith-based child-care agency comes to city
Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8238

Faith-based groups helping FLDS youths
Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8205

Police qualms about church participation short-lived
Belleville News-Democrat (Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8206

ASKING THE CLERGY: How can houses of worship step in when social services fall short?
Newsday (New York)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8207

Faith-based group pushes Marin social reform
marinij.com (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8211

Mercer churches join forces to fight drugs
Lexington Herald-Leader (Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8212

Immokalee children get free laptops for education
Naples Daily News (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8213

Feds seek grant answers
The Macon Telegraph (Georgia)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8219

Faith-based groups get $700,000 grant
Aiken Standard (South Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8220

Nonprofit agency sees more people in need
High Point Enterprise (North Carolina)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8214

Lakewood clinic to supply free medicine
Plain Dealer (Cleveland)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8215

More than 500 march in St. Paul for immigrant rights
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8208

Family Research Council Urging Pastors to 'Cross the Line' in Political Endorsements
EthicsDaily

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8209

New Orleans religious groups struggle amid downturn
The Associated Press

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8218

Global Food Crisis
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8235

Experts say high food prices permanent; bishops urge help for poor
Catholic News Service

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8210

House of Hope pursues site near Dover
The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8216

Word gets out, help pours in for program for local troubled youth
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Pennsylvania)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8217

Bill barring gay bias gets initial OK in House
The Denver Post

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8221

Mental health troubles persist; Many residents aren't getting help, poll says
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8223

Buckner home to help ex-inmates' transition
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8227

Group Guides Police To Crime
St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8228

Faith-Based Retreat Program Offered To Area Prison Inmates
Press & Dakotan (South Dakota)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8229

City renews assistance from Front Porch Alliance
The Indianapolis Star (Indiana)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8230

Florida a step ahead in funds to faith schools
The Washington Times

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8231

Anti-violence meeting draws larger crowd
The Anniston Star (Alabama)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8224

County cuts could take Richmond shelter beds
Contra Costa Times (California)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8225

Former addict achieves a New High
The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois)

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=8226

Weekly Opinion Roundup - 5/6/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_5_6_08.cfm