New Mexico Action Corps Says NO to Cutting Foreign Aid

The New Mexico Action Corps has just completed lobby visits with Senator Udall and Senator Bingaman of New Mexico! Over the last month, Action Corps members have all participated in lobby visits to their Congressional Senators and Representatives, urging them to reconsider cutting the already small foreign aid budget. Together, the Action Corps has delivered over 13,000 signatures! Wow!  To see more of what's going on with the New Mexico Action Corps, click here to read their blog, or here to follow them on Facebook.  

Stay tuned for more photos and stories from lobby visits across the country!

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By Kalen Olson, New Mexico Action Corps

The days are winding down as Congress members exit office and we usher in new political leaders.

Yes, it’s the lame-duck session. “Lame-duck” originally referred to bankrupt businessmen in Britain who were considered “lame” because their position rendered them as vulnerable as injured birds. Now, the term describes Congress members who are on their way out of office. That’s why the lame-duck session is an important time to make advances in policy. Senators and Representatives aren’t up for reelection, so why not try and push policy they may have been hesitant on before?

Oxfam America has a clear agenda this lame-duck session: no more cuts to foreign aid. Voters lobbied on Capitol Hill, wrote letters to Congress, and signed petitions to illustrate why foreign aid is important to thousands of people around the country.

With just under 1% of the Federal budget going toward foreign aid, it seems reasonable that Congress would approve this request. Not only has foreign aid helped eradicate polio, but, according to Gregory Adams, Director of Aid Effectiveness for Oxfam America, it has also fueled the Green Revolution and rebuilt shattered economies. In the process, we’ve strengthened alliances with Turkey, South Korea, and Poland.

Perceived and Actual Foreign Aid Spending

Further cuts to life-saving programs would represent a step backwards, and mean the difference between life and death for many of the world’s poor. Since it’s a small investment with a large return, Congress would have to be quackers to cut aid.

Community members of New Mexico petitioned, wrote letters, and visited Senators Bingaman and Udall. Co-organizer Jasmine McBeath and I stopped by Senator Bingaman and Udall’s office with foreign aid info in hand.

What I’d pictured about lobbying was quite different from what actually took place. The illusion of corporate deals transpiring behind closed doors was shattered when we met with staff members. Sharing why investment in foreign aid is necessary allowed crucial information to get into the hands of decision makers.

Celebrating a 40 Year Tradition with Oxfam!

Across the country, Action Corps cities are participating in Oxfam America Hunger Banquets. The very first Oxfam Hunger Banquet took place nearly 40 years ago, and today it’s a tradition that takes place all over the US in synagogues, temples, churches, schools, offices, libraries and community centers. Hunger Banquets are a simulation, where luck controls where you sit and what you eat. No one Hunger Banquet is the same but all participants leave with more knowledge about the harsh realities of global hunger. 

This year, 8 Action Corps cities held an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet, contributing to the over 400 held this year!  Nearly 600 people participated in one of the following Action Corps hosted events, and many more learned about global hunger through Action Corps outreach.  For more information on hosting your own Oxfam America Hunger Banquet, click here.

Take a look at the photos from these inspiring simulations:

Boston

 This Oxfam America Hunger Banquet drew local college students, activists, and Oxfam enthusiasts!

For more on the Boston Oxfam America Hunger Banquet click here!

Des Moines

Des Moines was the host of two Oxfam America Hunger Banquets this year!  One, with the Global Youth Institute drew a crowd of 300 high school students during the Borlaug Dialogue in Iowa.

300 high school students participate in this Oxfam America Hunger Banquet

Hunger Banquet with the ONE Campaign!

Hunger Banqueter chooses her fate 

For more on the Des Moines Oxfam America Hunger Banquet and the Borlaug Dialogues, check out the Iowa Action Corps' blog here!

Minneapolis

Minneapolis joins in with CHANGE leaders at Macalester college!

For more on the Minnesota Action Corps, check out their blog here!

Seattle

University of Washington Bothell Clubs and Organizations, Cascadia Community College, Human Equality and Rights Everywhere, and the Seattle Oxfam Action Corps came together to host an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet!

Participants are split by lower, middle and upper income

Keynote speaker Ray Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America

To see more from the Seattle Action Corps, click here!

Columbus

Columbus Action Corps partnered with the Salvation Army of Central Ohio and the Foundation for the African Diaspora for the annual Oxfam Hunger Banquet. 

Participants discover what their meal will look like

Chicago, Madison, Kansas City

Chicago hosted an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet with North Central College.  Stay tuned for pictures of their Hunger Banquet with Loyola University coming soon!

Madison hosted a Hunger Banquet with the University of Wisconsin Madison!

Kansas City joined with Adelaide College to host one too!

In total, Oxfam America Hunger Banquets were hosted in 8 Action Corps cities, at colleges with participating CHANGE leaders, and at a variety of high schools, community centers, and religious gatherings around the nation!


For almost 40 years Oxfam America Hunger Banquets have drawn in people of all ages, leaving participants with an unique perspective on global hunger. This year, thanks to the Oxfam Action Corps, over 600 people attended Oxfam America Hunger Banquets and experienced how global hunger affects each and every one of us.


For information on Oxfam America Hunger Banquets or how you can host your own, click here. You can also follow Oxfam Hunger Banquets on Twitter, check out events in your area, and read a first-hand report of an experience at the Boston Oxfam America Hunger Banquet to get a feel for what these events are like.

                                                     

Packing Meals with “Feed My Starving Children”

The Minnesota Action Corps takes action with Feed My Starving Children to send food to children around the world.  When not lobbying, tabling or event planning, the Action Corps participates in direct service to help out their local communities while promoting worldwide solutions.  To see more from the Minnesota Action Corps check out their local blog and Facebook page.

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By Brett Smith


On Saturday morning, December 8, 2012, eight volunteers from Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota helped pack food for hungry children at the Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) facility in Eagan, MN. Joining a number of other groups and totaling 54 volunteers, we helped pack over 13,000 meals for kids in Haiti or Nicaragua. According to FMST, this is enough food to feed 38 children for a year.

FMSC is a Christian non-profit organization that provides food to children in nearly 70 countries around the world. The organization believes in the right of every child to be fed a nutritious meal; that our lives are enriched when we give of our time and resources to help those in need; and that cooperation with other faith based and humanitarian organizations maximizes the ability to get food to hungry children. They also believe in using lots of volunteer help to pack the food and in making the whole experience a good time.

 

The FMSC approach is to create simple and nutritious food packets which can be easily packed and shipped anywhere in the world. Our experience in this food packing was enlightening, efficient, and fun. Each food packet (called a Manna Pack) contains a carefully measured portion of rice, soybeans, dried vegetables, and a vitamin mix. These ingredients are then placed in a sealed plastic bag and shipped. Our Oxfam team worked together in assembly line fashion to measure the ingredients, fill the plastic bag, weigh it, and then seal it for placing in the food boxes. Working together our Oxfam team alone managed to create almost 2,000 meals in a bit under two hours.

We also had fun! We all agreed that we looked really good in full hair nets. We enjoyed yelling at the “rice guy” when he put a gram or two too much or too little in the packet. We bragged to each other about how we had the cleanest packing table in the place. We grooved on the loudspeaker music background – my personal favorite being “I Get Around” by the Beach Boys. We talked about Oxfam’s plans, the political situation, and our own plans among other things.


All in all this was a great experience. We are grateful to FMSC for providing such a fun and productive volunteer experience and for the great work that they do around the world in getting food to the hungry, and to our Oxfam organizers for making our work possible. We would encourage others, either as individuals or groups, to link up with FMSC or other organizations involved in providing food to the hungry. It makes for a great team building experience and adds an important direct service aspect to Oxfam’s work. This was a great way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday morning.

Working the Farm with Cultivate Kansas City

The Kansas City Action Corps doesn't hesitate to get down in the dirt! Along with several tabling events, concert outreach, event planning and more, the Kansas City Action Corps takes a day to give back to their local community.  To learn more about what's new in Kansas City, check out their blog here.

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The Kansas City Oxfam Action Corps had the pleasure of participating in a Work the Farm day at the Gibbs Road Community Farm in Kansas City, KS. Including Lauren and myself, we had 6 volunteers helping with a variety of tasks to get the farm ready for the winter.

Emma & Cody, along with two other community volunteers, separate garlic cloves for planting.

We were able to help Gibbs Road Community Farm plant multiple rows of garlic, seed microgreens in their greenhouse, and even unload hay bales during a well-timed delivery.

Lauren & her sister, along with other community volunteers, plant seeds that will become tasty microgreens!

Cultivate Kansas City is a wonderful non-profit organization that works to get local, organic food in the hands of Kansas Citians, either by promoting farmers markets or teaching people to be urban farmers.

Sarah Dehart, part of the field crew at the Gibbs Road Community Farm, teaches volunteers how to measure and correctly space the beds they're planting.

For more information on Cultivate Kansas City or volunteering at the Gibbs Road Community Farm, check out their website. And for more photos from this volunteer day, and other Cultivate Kansas City events, take a look-see at their Flickr stream.

Thank you so much for having the Oxfam Action Corps at your farm, Cultivate Kansas City! We had a great time getting our hands dirty!

Love Your Leftovers!

The New Mexico Action Corps, features a blog post by guest and local chef, Kathy Chavez! Read on to hear how this stellar chef  uses her leftovers for meals as delicious as Thanksgiving dinner. To read more about the New Mexico Action Corps, check out their blog here or like them on Facebook!

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Hopefully your Thanksgiving was filled with fun, food and happy times. Now comes the leftover debate. Some people love them, while others vehemently avoid them. Many people argue that nothing tastes better than a cold turkey sandwich and a slice of leftover pie. Others vow that they will never eat leftovers. My favorite part of holiday meals are all the savory dishes prepared using all the leftover food, so I'd like to share my favorite ways to use leftovers.

First, here are some good safety tips:

• Before handling any food, cooked or raw, you need to wash your hands. Many food-born illnesses are passed from dirty hands and improper storage. 
• Cut meats off the bone and be sure to store any stuffing in separate containers. 
• Always reheat liquids such as gravy and red chile by bringing them to a boil.

The most basic post-holiday meal includes the famous sandwich. Just cut your meat and place it between leftover buns or bread. You can add mashed potatoes, stuffing, green chile, or lettuce from the salad. The list of what to put in your sandwich is limited only by what’s in your imagination and your refrigerator. Make turkey or ham salad by dicing up onions and celery, then sprinkle in your favorite spices and spoon in either mayonnaise or plain yogurt. Eat with bread, crackers or scoop it onto a bed of lettuce or your leftover salad.

Try eating mashed potatoes for breakfast. Make them into round patties and brown them in a skillet with a bit of olive or any oil. They make delicious hash browns. Or make a yummy spicy shepherd’s pie. Gather your meat, greens such as spinach, green beans, corn, and any vegetables you have on hand. Mix them in a skillet then add gravy and red or green chile. Scoop your mashed potatoes over the top and brown in the oven. This meal can be made vegan if you skip the meat part and make your mashed potatoes without any butter or milk.

Many of my friends make enchiladas and tacos using their turkey. Just make the enchiladas and tacos as usual but using your turkey. Packing your lunch, whether you’re going to work or on a day hike, can save you money and calories. If you just have too much leftover food to handle you can take that pie to work, give the cookies to a friend, host a leftover party and ask your friends to only bring their appetites.


Have a happy winter season and may your days be filled with love, joy, and lots of local eating and shopping.

Thanksgiving on the GROW Method

The Chicago Oxfam Action Corps looks at some GROW Method ways to update Thanksgiving!  Luckily for us, these great recipes will be delicious, easy, and sustainable all fall! Check out some more awesome opinions, tips, and ideas on the Chicago Oxfam Action Corps blog here.

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Looking for ways to Buy Local, Eat Less Meat and Dairy, Cook Smarter, Reduce Waste for Thanksgiving? And what better time than now, a weekend to celebrate family, friends and what we have over a delicious meal. Here are some simple recipes to start.

 Try this Salad to start your family meal. 

• 4 fresh Butternut Squash or 2 bags of butternut squash
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar Splenda* or regular brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons of Agave or Honey
• 1-2 Tablespoons of EVOO
• Spinach or mixed greens - washed & dried
• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 teaspoons of sesame seeds

Heat your oven to 400 F. 
Chop squash into cubes 
On a large baking sheet, toss your squash with  EVOO, brown sugar & honey.  Roast for 20 minutes.  Toss pecans, cranberries, salad together. Top with baked squash. Sprinkle with sesame seeds




  



 This is a great Panzanella to use farm fresh ingredients packed with antioxidants!

• 5 cups of hearty, peasant bread torn into chunks
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (plus some for drizzling)
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 5 large, ripe tomatoes cut into large cubes or wedges
• 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into ribbons/shredded (chiffonade)
• 1/3 cup fresh flat-leaf, Italian parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus some for seasoning the bread)
• freshly cracked black pepper

 Preheat oven to 350°F. Place bread chunks in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake 15 minutes until dry and barely toasted.
In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley and salt. Fold tomatoes into dressing.
Serve at room temperature.





Enjoy the season's best Midwestern Fall Harvest with this layered entree that offers a hearty vegetarian tian.

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 medium zucchini
• 1 medium winter squash
• 1 medium potato
• 1 medium tomato
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 Cup Shredded cheese of choice (Fresh grated Italian cheeses are great!)
• S&P

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Saute both in a skillet with olive oil until softened (about five minutes).

While the onion and garlic are sauteing, thinly slice the rest of the vegetables.

Spray the inside of an 8x8 square or round baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread the softened onion and garlic in the bottom of the dish. Place the thinly sliced vegetables in the baking dish vertically, in an alternating pattern. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and thyme.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, top with cheese and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.


There is so much to try with broccoli, brussel sprouts, root vegetables and more! Check out the newest recipes on the Oxfam GROW method Pinterest page. 

Boston Hunger Banquet Brings Global Hunger Home

By Zoe Johannas

Once numbers get to a certain size, they almost become unfathomable. While I can picture several miles of landscape from plane window and remember my surroundings in a stadium filled with thousands of fan, the larger things get, the harder it is to understand their magnitude. It’s the same with stats. Understanding that 3.5 billion people, half the globe's population, make under $2.50 a day leaves me stunned and indignant and driven to do more, yet I can only picture a small percentage of the word "billion". I can hardly imagine the population of a city, let alone the world, and this means that something as incomprehensible as half the planet can sometimes take a back seat to the smaller, more graspable world that I can see and feel around me.

However, in a room of only 45, everyone is visible. At the Boston Action Corps’ Oxfam America Hunger Banquet, global poverty was put in context in an effective, observable, and powerful way where the planet sized numbers were brought down to size and made starkly real.

Suddenly, the numbers and statistics on global poverty became reality as only 15% of the attendees were a part of the high income group, only 35% were middle income, and the other 50%, cramped and sitting in the center of the floor, represented those in the lowest income group. Suddenly 3.5 billion was shrunk down to 24 participants with small cups of rice, with a table of only 6 looming above them with a full meal of lasagna and salad. 

Once I could see the simulated separation between the world’s poorest and wealthiest, the stats and numbers that were almost unfathomable began to resonate in a new way. Having been placed in the middle income group, I hardly felt average with my meal of rice and beans, and realized anew that half the world was sustained on much less. What was even more hard-hitting was watching the high income group- the group that consists of almost every person I interact with- consist of such a small percentage of the participants. What’s more is that this group contains even many of those who are relatively poor by US standards. The world's high income category contains everyone with an income over $12,000, a salary just over half of what constitutes the United States poverty line.

Of the others attending the events, everyone had their own interpretations and takeaways from the scene unfolding around them. While some felt guilt about being placed in the high ranks of simulated society, others wondered how we could bridge the gap between the worlds’s wealthy and poor on the global scale and make the issues so visible within one room, visible across borders and oceans. Still others talked about more practical points of the issue, discussing food aid and the roles of local NGOs, showing not only how complex poverty can be, but also how we can all play a unique role in its solution.

As a part of a nearly 40 year tradition, The Oxfam America Hunger Banquet may not have been a perfect simulation of the devastation and horrors of worldwide famine and poverty, but it was a resounding success in bringing global hunger issues home. Suddenly, 50% of a population was a visible and comprehensible statistic and I was able to put something as large as half the world into perspective like never before. I gained a new understanding of the size and mass of this issue and what it will take to overcome it. Though simulation can only make us go so far to feel the strain of poverty, it was one small step towards overcoming the common practice of keeping the hungry out of sight and out of mind. Explaining and showing this issue in a whole new way helped us to see and grasp the magnitude of this issue, and helped us begin to grapple with the monumental solution that it requires.

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To do more, I encourage you to host your own Oxfam America Hunger Banquet or vow to skip meal and donate the money you save to Oxfam. Or, for a more creative way to give back this holiday season, check out Oxfam Unwrapped to give a gift that counts

Check out some more of the pictures from the Boston Action Corps' event below: