The Interfaith Voices Against Hunger (IVAH) program engages religious and civic leaders and people of varied faiths in advocating for intensified government action to alleviate hunger.

IVAH works to expand and simplify access to food stamps and other government nutrition assistance programs; support the passage of living wage and minimum-wage legislation; increase government support for food pantries and soup kitchens; and support the ability of low-income people to move towards economic self-sufficiency.

Recently, IVAH held legislative meetings with City Council members to demand city budget action to address emergency food shortages and problems. Thanks in part to the work of New York City's emergency food program staff and volunteers through IVAH, funding levels for the Emergency Food Assistance Program were not cut.

IVAH has also worked with other advocates to convince the city and state to adopt a revised food stamp application, thereby reducing the number of pages from 16 to two. The application was cut to four pages in 2005, showing that the message is getting through - but more work is yet to be done, and the active participation of emergency food program staff and volunteers of all faiths is critical.

To help the Coalition Against Hunger's lobbying efforts, call Alexandra Yannias at 212-825-0028 x212.