Our primary issue is the Children’s Summer Nutrition Act implementation in HB1115 and Senate Bill 2096. There is no cost to the State to provide 1-3 meals for poor children in all counties of the state. Federal funds are awaiting application. Over $13 million is being spent in Florida but $103 million is still available. Nine north Florida counties do not yet offer any summer food programs. Your District Social Action Coordinator has the breakdown by county. Local government agencies, school districts and non-profit entities can sponsor a food site. We need your letters to your state legislators in support of these bills.

Children also need housing. We need to protect the State affordable housing program and Trust Funds that help people move from poverty to homeownership. Bankers, realtors, construction workers, communities benefit from and support this program as well which is financed from real estate transaction tax. It is not broken but legislators are viewing it as a cash cow. Please write in support of protection for affordable housing funds.

The display of children’s hand prints at the Capitol was as colorful as rainbows. The basic step of the UMW Campaign for Children is prayer. Please include our state lawmakers and staff in your prayers this spring as they make many individual decisions that impact the lives of children and families.