Des Moines Volunteers for the Community and Small Farmers

     It wasn't even half way through July and Des Moines Oxfam Action Corps had volunteered at two events and tabled at the Drake Farmers Market in support of the GROW Campaign. This is the momentum and enthusiasm we love to see coming from our Action Corps cities as the GROW Campaign takes root across the US and worldwide. Oxfam officially launched the GROW Campaign in June 2011.

Action Corps Organizers Cathy Vrentas and Stephen Lauer
collecting donations for the DMARC Red Barrel Program.

     The first event was volunteering in the Des Moines suburb, Ankeny, with Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) and their Red Barrel Program. These red barrels are in local grocery stores to collect food items to stock the DMARC Emergency Food Pantries, along with accepting cash contributions toward the program. The Action Corps volunteered at a 'Sack Saturday,' which encourages not only monetary and  food donations, but also the more valuable donation of  'hunger sacks,' $5.00 grocery bags containing the most needed items. Stephen and Amy, Oxfam Action Corps Organizers wrote: "We got the results from our efforts on Saturday...drum roll....717 food items collected and $155.68 in cash." The DMARC representative told the Des Moines Oxfam Action Corps: "That is an exceptionally high food collection, even for that store, so you should be very pleased with the results. We are!" The Des Moines Oxfam Action Corps wants to thank all of the volunteers that came out to help! And a BIG thank you to the generous folks in Ankeny for donating items/money.

100 pounds of green beans picked by the Des Moines Action Corps.

     A couple days later, the Action Corps headed to St. Timothy's Faith and Grace church garden in West Des Moines for their second event to harvest vegetables. Last year St. Timothy's donated 4,000 pounds of fresh, organic, local vegetables to feed local hungry people. Their goal this year is to donate 10,000 pounds of these vegetables. What a perfect fit with the GROW Campaign's five-point plan for the United States to immediately take action to reduce food insecurity. Point one states: invest in small-scale food producers. What if the people who grew the world's food actually had enough to feed themselves and earn a living? We need to make sure the US Government supports programs related to this point and ensures the Feed the Future initiative will live up to its principles. 
    Results from the harvest: 100 pounds of green beans and 84 ears of sweet corn picked in 2 hours by 5 Oxfam Action Corps volunteers. Way to go! Many thanks to all who came out.
    
    Tonight, July 26, Oxfam America Agriculture Advocacy Lead, Jim French, will be in Des Moines at Smokey Row Coffee shop on Cottage Grove Avenue at 7:00 PM CDT, sharing information and discussing food and agricultural policy within the US and globally. All are welcome to attend!

From left to right, five Des Moines Oxfam Action Corps volunteers with their yield:
Amy Luebbert, Lance Massey, Stephen Lauer, Lucas McMillan, and Joanna Winston.

From Washington, DC: Growing the GROW Campaign

by Nickolas Johnson, San Francisco Bay Action Corps Organizer and Economic Justice Intern for Oxfam America's Washington, DC office

With the 24-hour news cycles constantly discussing the debt ceiling and the nation’s budget woes, it is easy to tune out much of what is said from either side of the aisle. Regardless, I go out of my way to catch new developments and updates from the President, but even I was surprised by what he mentioned at one of his recent press conferences.  

“So I think there are ways that you can essentially take a little over a trillion dollars in serious discretionary cuts, meaningful discretionary cuts, and then start building on top of that some cuts in non-health care mandatory payments, ethanol programs...”

Not once had I heard the Administration suggest cutting ethanol programs prior to this conference. Looking back, it was a welcome surprise. 

Eliminating ethanol subsides is particularly important to me due to my activism in fighting global hunger. My activism has led me to the Oxfam Action Corps, which I have been a part of for just over a year. I joined as a volunteer and am now the co-leader of the San Francisco Bay Area Action Corps. 

Currently, I have been working with Oxfam America’s Policy and Campaigns team as the Economic Justice Intern in Washington, DC. As the Economic Justice Intern, I focus on Oxfam’s most recent and ambitious campaign: GROW. 

One of GROW’s campaign goals is for the government to make cuts to its ethanol programs. I joined the GROW team right before its launch and have witnessed the campaign come a long way since then. To have President Obama start mainstream political discourse on cutting ethanol programs is a huge achievement for GROW considering the campaign’s recency. 

This experience has showed me that Oxfam’s seeds of ideas can lead to substantive change with hard work and dedication. During my internship, I have been lucky enough to be exposed to and work on the beginning of a new and exciting venture. Seeing ideas take shape into concrete plans and actions, and seeing my fellow Action Corps members help launch the GROW campaign across the country has made me proud to be part of this effo rt.

It was during President Obama’s speech that I had seen the arc of idea to change. I have seen the seed of an idea grow through many of its incarnations to the brink of a full-fledged flower of change. Although we do not know the future of ethanol subsidies, the message to cut the programs has been sent. It is this experience that has deepened my belief in Oxfam and has sparked an even bigger excitement  to further and build a bigger and stronger Bay Area Action Corps.

Nickolas Johnson with Oxfam staff at the GROW launch on Capital Hill

Famine Declared in Somalia

We'd like to thank Oxfam Action Corps Columbus for writing the first blog post about the recently UN declared famine in Somalia, and discussing the connection it has to our GROW Campaign.

Although the Action Corps does not work direcly with our Humanitarian Response team, we felt it necessary and urgent to post this information about what Oxfam is doing in our blog. If you would like to donate or find out more information immediately, click here to be directed to Oxfam America's webpage dedicated to the East African food crisis.


What Oxfam is Doing
As a severe drought and food crisis grip East Africa, Oxfam is aiming to help a quarter of the 12 million people now affected in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Our goal is to reach three million in dire need of clean water, food, and basic sanitation. 


July 2011

Kenya

In Kenya, we are aiming to help 1.3 million people with a variety of support including clean water for them and veterinary care for their animals. We are drilling and repairing wells and distributing fuel vouchers to ensure that pumps on the wells can keep operating—even if people have no money.

About 900,000 animals—essential assets for 18,000 families—are benefitting from veterinary care provided by Oxfam. And to ensure that families can get some income from their livestock, Oxfam has launched a “destocking” program to buy some of the weakest goats and sheep. Oxfam then slaughters the animals and distributes the meat to the community.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, our goal is to support about one million people, helping to ensure they have clean water and their animals receive veterinary care. We are drilling wells and working with people to improve their traditional methods for collecting rain water.

In the driest areas we have been trucking in emergency water supplies to more than 32,000 people, and community health workers have been conducting public health campaigns to slow the spread of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea.

Oxfam is also ensuring that 500,000 heads of cattle have access to water, pasture, and vaccinations.

Somalia

In the worst-hit areas of Somaliland, we are working with local partners to provide emergency water trucks to bring clean water to villages where all other sources have dried up. Oxfam engineers are also repairing wells in areas where there is water still available.

In parts of south central Somalia and the Lower Juba region – where the drought is at its worst and the conflict makes access for international aid agencies extremely dangerous – local Oxfam partners are trucking in water and working to keep animals healthy.

In Mogadishu, the capital, we support feeding centers for thousands of malnourished children, and provide life-saving equipment such as water, beds and X-ray machines to Somalia’s only functioning children’s hospital.

Oxfam's goal is to reach 3 million people. Your support can help us get there.

From the Big Apple to Green Mountains

July 2011 Retreat in Vermont!

Oxfam Action Corps NYC 7/17/11; by Volunteer, Megan McGee

Oxfam Action Corps New York City on the retreat grounds in Manchester, VT. 

Last weekend, July 8th - 10th, Oxfam Action Corps NYC went on its first annual retreat at a cabin in Manchester, Vermont, where we discussed our new campaign, welcomed new members to the group, and got to know each other better. Over the two days, members learned more about Oxfam’s new GROW Campaign, an international effort to improve the food system. We made significant progress deciding how best to promote this important issue and affect policy change to make certain that the world’s poorest people have access to food.

The retreat was also a time to have fun and enjoy each other as friends. We were fortunate enough to have beautiful weather and spent time swimming, hiking, and picnicking.

The retreat was enjoyed by all who attended. Oxfam Action Corps NYC plans to make the retreat an annual event.

Oxfam Action Corps: Meet Vermont

     Burlington, VT - Driving along the winding Route 89 North, past forest covered mountains, low clouds frosting the tops, the sun's light magnifying all the shades of green from summer leaves, Burlington and Vermont as a whole provided a perfect backdrop for action to protect the Earth and its ability to provide for all of us – especially those who are hungry and poor. 

Brittany Winslow, tabling on Church Street, June 30th, 

2011. Church Street runs through the heart of downtown 

Burlington; Winslow speaks with a pedestrian about the 

GROW Campaign.

     This June the  Burlington Oxfam Action Corps teamed up with a few Oxfam staffers for two packed, energized days to meet with allied organizations, build ideas for the Burlington Corps, and get some roots down in the Vermont earth for the GROW Campaign. We’d like to thank the supportive volunteers and friends of Oxfam that joined us for brainstorming and planning.  We also want to give a huge thanks for the local leaders who gave us time to meet and learn about their stellar work, including: Nancy Lynch, Assistant to the Secretary of State, Jim Condos; Betsy Hardy, Coordinator for Vermont Interfaith Power and Light; Janice Nadworny, Development Director at the Intervale Center; Anna Guyton, activist-at-large and former Manager of Mission and Programs for the Peace and Justice Center; Lisa Long, Development Director for Hunger Free Vermont; and Linda Berlin, Executive Director for the University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture. A delicious food shout-out must go to local Burlington eateries: Stone Soup, Muddy Waters, and American Flatbread. Also, after our full first day, a stop at Ben & Jerry’s Burlington Scoop Shop was a necessity (see photo).

     Other Vermont activities included Burlington Organizer, Brittany Winslow, and Senior Volunteer and Community Organizer, Brian Rawson, tabling to promote GROW during the busy lunch rush on Church Street.  Winslow and Rawson were also back at the Intervale for the kick-off of the first Thursday night Summervale - local food vendors, live music, and completely family friendly. The ‘New Farmers, New Americans’ booth had the best samosas we had ever tasted, a Somalian version of the familiar dish. 

     Two packed days in Vermont were enough not only for the GROW Campaign to spread its roots among the mountains, farms, local food, and genuine people, but also to teach Oxfam America about the passion and pride Vermonters have for their state. Winslow and the Burlington Corps were left with freshly gleaned inspiration, ready to cultivate GROW and take action to end hunger.

Brian Rawson;  Birttany Winslow; and Community Engagement Interns, 

Monica Kacprzyk and Caitlin DiMaina, enjoy tasty flavors of 

Ben & Jerry'sice cream from the Burlington Scoop Shop.  

GROWing Strong, Boston Wills It

NEW FACES & GROW CAMPAIGN

Boston Oxfam Action Corps 7/7/2011

It's been a while since you last heard from us! We've been making transitions and working on new projects.

First, I'd like to introduce your new Oxfam Boston Action Corps Leaders : Emily Hubbard and Christine Ellersick. We're both thrilled to be a part of this fight for global justice!

We began this journey back in May where we joined other Action Corps leaders from across the country for Oxfam's annual Action Corps leader training in Washington, DC. The time that was spent engaging one another and learning about Oxfam's mission cannot be overlooked. However, most would agree that the most pivotal moment during the training was lobby day. On lobby day we visited Congressman Markey, Congressman Capuano, Senator Brown, and Senator Kerry's offices to express our hope that they will fully support President Obama's 2012 budget that provides essential funding for international programs like Feed the Future and the Global Agricultural Trust Fund. They were receptive and supportive. We hope this enthusiasm will reverberate in Congress!

Now we're back "on the ground." Oxfam has launched a global GROW campaign. The message is simple: The food system is broken. And as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton eloquently states, the issue is not whether we can end global hunger but whether we will. With this fire, we took to the Cambridgeport farmer's market on June 4th to spread awareness about the GROW campaign, where we had five volunteers and were approached by many who were interested in GROW's message.

Nearly one billion people--nearly one sixth of the population--is chronically hungry. Ironically, many of these hungry individuals are small farmers, farmers who don't have the means to cope with climate change and who don't have the bargaining power to demand fair prices for their goods. GROW draws our attention to these staggering facts and asks that we become part of the solution. With these efforts, and others, underway we hope that the answer to Secretary Clinton's query is a resounding, "We will."

Want to get involved? E-mail us at boston@oxfamactioncorps.org

Making Headlines: Columbus Action Corps Op-Ed

Check out this well written op-ed piece published in The Columbus Dispatch, by Columbus Oxfam Action Corps volunteer, Nancy Prindle!

Fighting poverty vital to U.S. interests

Way to go Nancy!

Fighting poverty vital to U.S. interests

Sunday, June 5, 2011 03:12 AM

The Associated Press article “Public wants its entitlements” in the May 24 Dispatch demonstrated the political backlash that can arise when a powerful group of voters feels vulnerable.

Talk about cutting spending in the abstract is easy. What’s hard is making a reduction that affects a particular constituency.

The budget passed by the U.S. House would reduce U.S. foreign assistance by almost 20 percent, with the lion’s share coming out of programs that could help the poor in developing nations become more productive, more food-secure and less dependent upon future food aid.

We would be smarter and safer and more fiscally responsible to help those folks help themselves.

Global poverty-fighting aid makes up less than 1 percent of the entire federal budget. These cuts would have a devastating impact on the poor.

I hope our Ohio representatives and senators make smart choices that can build a more prosperous and secure world for everyone, not just those with the loudest voices or strongest lobby.

NANCY PRINDLE

Radnor

Live from New York City: Oxfam Action Corps Awareness Concert

We believe music can change the world. Do you? 

If so, it’s time to make some noise. Oxfam is teaming up with volunteers and supporters in the music industry—including musicians, labels, managers, and media—in the fight against poverty and injustice. With the power of many voices speaking together, we can call on companies and legislators to change the laws and practices that keep people in poverty. 

Oxfam Action Corps New York City takes music activism into their own hands, by planning and hosting their own awareness concert every year since 2009. This year's took place a couple weeks ago at Union Hall in Brooklyn. Check out what they had to say post-encore:

We had a good turn out with tons of people showing up to listen to Ace Reporter and Under the Elephant. Some of you might remember Ben Jelen, keyboarder for Under the Elephant, ticking away to the Beds Are Burning:

Entrance to the concert was a letter or two to your member of congress.

If you were unable to attend the concert, and/or would like to write your own letter to your representatives, we encourage you to do so.

A sample of one of the letters that was written at the awareness concert can be found here: http://bit.ly/lcpSPz Please feel free to use this as a guide when writing your letters. Remember to sign your name with your address so that your representative knows that you are a constituent.

To learn about other ways to get involved, come to one of our meetings or visit http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatyoucando/take-action.

If you are interested in volunteering at upcoming concerts or have other questions, please send us an email at newyorkcity@oxfamactioncorps.org - we are always looking for new volunteers.