2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Summary of Actions
Gathering under the theme "We are church," voting members of the 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a number of key decisions to further the mission and ministry of this church. The assembly, the chief legislative authority of the church, met August 5-10 at
General Assistance Ends August First
A decades-long General Assistance (GA) program expires August 1, 2019, affecting more than 11,000 Pennsylvanians who relied on the small, temporary program targeted to the most vulnerable as a bridge in times of crisis. LAMPa's director urges ministries to learn who is affected, do what can be done to fill
General Assistance For PA Poor Eliminated
A decades-long General Assistance (GA) program that had been re-instated by the state Supreme Court last year was eliminated last week, affecting more than 11,000 Pennsylvanians reported to be relying on the small, temporary program targeted to the most vulnerable as a bridge in times of crisis. LAMPa staff and
Gov. Wolf Signs 2019-2020 Budget
On June 28, Pennsylvania adopted a $34 billion budget that includes no new taxes but socks $330 million away in a rainy day fund. Highlights include increases for housing, education (basic, pre-k and special education), election security and help for a struggling agricultural industry. Funding for the state’s two major
Take Action On the 2020 Census
Pennsylvania is at risk of an undercount in the 2020 Census, and this could mean a significant loss of federal funds for healthcare, nutrition assistance, transportation, housing, education, programs for children and parents, and much more. Pennsylvanians can not afford to put these programs needlessly at risk. That's why every Pennsylvania resident
Contact Your State Lawmakers to Include General Assistance In State Budget
Please act today to urge your state representative and senator to vote to include General Assistance in the PA General Budget. General Assistance will best serve Commonwealth residents if it is included in the General Budget, NOT as an afterthought in the Human Code. General Assistance in Pennsylvania (GA) provides
Lutherans Gather To Set a Welcome Table
Lutherans from across the Commonwealth gathered in the Capital on May 20 to speak up for the hungry, network with statewide advocates, worship, learn about hunger and child nutrition, human trafficking, climate change, prescription drug pricing, the ELCA's proposed Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment with keynote Kathryn Lohre, and more. In
Urge State Lawmakers to Support PA’s Major Anti-Hunger Programs
As the state budget process continues, please contact your state legislators and ask them to adequately support the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS). These programs remain two of the commonwealth’s most important tools in the fight against hunger and a lifeline for food
Take Action on General Assistance Now
The bill that would end General Assistance (GA) -- HB 33 -- was passed (March 25) by the PA House Health Committee and may move quickly to the House floor for a vote. Please reach out to your local PA House member or other legislators you have a relationship with
2020 Census: April 1, 2019 Day of Action
Join us on Monday, April 1, 2019, to take action on the 2020 Census by contacting your state lawmakers to share with them how important an accurate 2020 Census is to all Pennsylvanians. Without action, Pennsylvania could lose millions in federal funds. An undercount of just one percent would cost
