Editor’s Note: The following text was presented by Paul Manganiello at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Looking for the link to write your letters? Click here!
Good morning! For our visitors, my name is Paul Manganiello, I am a member of OSLC’s Social Ministry Committee. OSLC is a Covenant Church in the Bread for the World movement, an ecumenical advocacy organization that was founded by Art Simon, a New York City, ELCA pastor, in 1974.
Throughout the year, BFW members contact their Federal and State legislators to advocate for those who are food insecure, both here in the US and globally. Each year, we focus on a specific issue through an annual Offering of Letters.
Recently, we recalled the events leading up to Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. This year, the services, and reflections were particularly poignant. Politically, it has been difficult to witness the systemic cruelty, and suffering, many people are going through, both domestically and abroad. I find myself oftentimes lamenting, “But why… God”?
On Palm Sunday, we again heard the account of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane praying to His Father, to have “Jesus’ Cup” removed. Despite Jesus knowing that, that request would go answered. This reflects the blurring of lines between Jesus’ divine nature and Jesus’ human nature.
At some point during our lifetime, we all will make an intercessory prayer to ask that “our cup” be removed; and like Jesus, although God may not intervene, and lift that “cup”, we are assured that God is with us, supporting us as we go forward.
At the Good Friday, Hanover Clergy Service, we gathered to reflect on the mystery of Jesus’ horrible suffering and death. We heard the un-sanitized description of a Roman crucifixion. We also know, that although our “sins” are forgiven, and despite Jesus’ subsequent Resurrection and Ascension, our lives go on, we all continue to suffer and will ultimately experience a physical death.
Many years ago, while on a silent retreat in Newburyport, Mass., an Episcopal Priest, Father Curtis, one of the facilitators, asked a rhetorical question: “Well, what is killing you today?… What cross are you carrying?”
At the end of the Good Friday service, we closed with the hymn “Were you there?”. Tears started to flow uncontrollably, as horrific images passed through my mind: Israelis killed and taken hostage taken during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack; Palestinian women and children killed and maimed in Gaza as a result of the subsequent Israeli bombings; sexual violence during the current Sudanese conflict; the mutilated and dead of the Ukrainian war; people needlessly dying of AIDS as a result of USAID being shuttered; family’s lives shattered as a result of this administration’s migrant policies; Americans losing their health care, and millions of Americans becoming food insecure; it goes on and on affecting each of us, in our private lives and globally.
Jesus was a political prisoner; he was put to death because of the systemic injustices of that day. Jesus suffered and died on the cross, not to take away our human pain, suffering and ultimate death; but to be there with us during our challenging life experiences, knowing that we too will ultimately experience our very own resurrection!
Since the beginning of the current Federal administration, cuts in USAID (US Agency for International Development) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), have had a devastating effect on our disadvantaged neighbors both here at home and abroad.
We are not asking for a monetary donation, but we are asking you to advocate for our marginalized brothers and sisters, due to the changes made to WIC and SNAP by the federal bill HR 1 [euphemistically named the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”].
SNAP ensures that it’s more than 41M… participants, living in poverty, will have nutritious meals each month. 80%… of SNAP’s caseload is comprised of children, older adults, or adults with disabilities. The average monthly benefit is less than $200 per family! Even at that level of funding, participation in SNAP has been shown to reduce food insecurity, with an improved diet, and improved health outcomes.
SNAP is traditionally reauthorized every five years through the Farm Bill.The Farm Bill has been extended several times through continuing Congressional Resolutions. BFW continues to advocate for Congress to reauthorization a full Farm Bill that will protect and strengthen [#1] federal nutrition programs; [#2] the farming and food system; and [#3] global nutrition and research.
Prior to the passage of HR 1, the Federal government paid all [100%], of SNAP’s benefits costs, and 50% of SNAP’s administrative costs.
Starting October 2026, States administrative costs will increase from 50 %to 75%; while SNAP benefits costs will also increase [in NH it will be approximately $40M while Vt it will be $20M].
The Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children [up to 5 years of age], or more commonly known as, the WIC program, serves millions of women: meal packages; encourages breast feeding; and supports health screenings for women living under the poverty line [i.e., those making less than $26,000 annually for a family of 3]. The current benefits, in 2027 will be reduced by as much as 2/3rds of current levels.
The priorities of Congress are out of whack. We cannot allow individuals to be food insecure in a country blessed with enough resources to make them whole. It is due to poorly thought-out public policies. This is the root cause our wealth disparity, this is what needs to be addressed.
I would like to thank Pastor, Susan Ferraro and my wife Wendy for working with me to better equip you, to make this ask, and easy for you to do, especially if this feels new to you.
Today after worship, Wendy and I will be in the Narthex with our computers to answer any questions that you may have and show you how to virtually contact your legislators!!! It will hopefully be as easy as 1,2,3!! You will be able to edit your letters with personal comments if you wish.
For more information and to write your letters, click here.
I personally, want to thank you in advance for considering our request.
Again, thank you so very much!!
Paul
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