Local food banks and other community service’s core funding may be cut by 60% this year.  For 2011, a budget bill currently being proposed in the House of Representatives will potentially cut Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) by 60%, essentially meaning that the current year funding would be cut immediately by 60%. Also, President Obama is proposing a 50% cut to the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) in 2012.

"Cuts of this magnitude would be devastating  to our communities and the services our most vulnerable children, families and elders must have to meet essential needs.  This couldn’t come at a worse time as those needing services has really grown during this prolonged economic downturn. We need to get immediate,community-wide support for Community Action and CSBG through letters to President Obama and our Congressional delegations,”  said Lisa Stoddard, Exec Director of CAP - Lewiston, ID.

The Community Action Partnership (CAP) that serves 10 north Idaho counties and Asotin County in Washington is urging business owners, faith leaders and elected officials to contact their Senators and Representatives in Congress immediately.  Stoddard is providing the names and addresses of Idaho and Washington congressional delegations, a sample letter, and an impact statement  explaining who and what services would be effected.  All letters should be addressed to your senator or representative but sent to Community Action Partnership, c/o Lisa Stoddard, 124 New 6^th Street, Lewiston, ID 83501 before Friday, February 18th.   

Community Action Partnership serves Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Latah, Lewis, Idaho, Clearwater, and Nez Perce Counties in Idaho and Asotin County in Washington.

• The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is federal money provided to states and in turn to local community action agencies where community members determine how to use those funds in creating opportunities for everyone to achieve economic stability and security. 
• Community Action Partnership is locally governed by a tripartite Board of Directors, made up of one-third public officials, one-third private sector members and one-third people in need.
• The Community Services Block Grant is a shining example of the most responsive, effective, accountable partnership between the federal government, state government and local communities because of the local decision-making process.

In 2010, Community Action Partnership served 45,489 unduplicated individuals of which:

• 13,647 were children under the age of 18
• 9,041 were elders

And, Community Action Partnership provided:

• Food to 30,431 people
• Gas vouchers to get to work to 419 households
• Gas vouchers for education to 39 households
• Weatherization measures to increase home energy efficiency to 783 homes
• Advocacy for 8,845 households
• Foreclosure counseling and prevention services to 176 households
• Assistance to increase economic stability to 12,236 people
• Temporary shelter for 381 people

For more information visit the website of our local Community Action Partnership.

Source: Community Action Partnership – Email Appeal,  Feb 14, 2011