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1. Summer Appeal
2. GIAB Dates & Locations
3. Summer Worship
4. Advocacy Updates
5. Serving Albany
6. Food Pantry
7. School Supply Project
1. Summer Appeal
June 2015your donations make a difference

Click Here to Learn More About the Summer Appeal

2. GIAB Dates and Locations

Gardening in a Bucket (GIAB) is happening and the vegetable seedlings are

growing all around Albany family shelters, and schools. Children learn about
growing and caring for vegetable plants while they decorate pots and assemble a portable garden to take home with them. Thank you to all the
volunteers who have signed up to assist staff.
We still need volunteers! If you can commit an hour or two for the seedling

distribution for families who use the food pantry call Belinda at 443-0460
or e-mail belindaq@focuschurches.net (see dates below)

3. Summer Worship

FOCUS Summer Worship

July 5 @ 9:30 am
The first of the FOCUS Summer Worship Services will be at the First Presbyterian Church corner of Willet and State streets (located by Washington
Park). Street parking is available.

4. Advocacy Updates

Governor Cuomo has decided to use his authority to appoint a special

wage board to examine the wages of fast-food workers, and then propose
changes which can be enacted by the Governor, without the legislature.
While this is an unusual step, its needed due to the deadlock in the state
legislature over raising the minimum wage. The Governors op-ed in the
NY Times makes the exact same arguments that advocates have been
making for years. This is a big step forward, and a direct result of the organizing and mass action by fast-food workers and other low-wage workers around the country and around the world. The fight isnt over, though.
Please take a moment and sign the petition from people of faith to the
Wage Board.

This week anti-hunger advocates held a press conference outside the

Senate Chambers at the NYS Capital to call for increased funding to the
Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (l-r: Natasha Pernicka, Food Pantries for the Capital District; Rev. Debra Jameson, FOCUS;
Susan Zimet, Hunger Action Network of NYS; representative from Assembly member Ortiz; Assembly member Crespo, Christine Hines, The People's Place; Christy Robb, St. John's Bread and Life Center; and Michael
Berg of Family of Woodstock)

Upcoming Moral Mondays - Faith leaders and people of conscience will be

gathering again at the NYS Capitol to call for just and moral policies on
issues including poverty and hunger relief, the call for a living wage, criminal justice reform, and fair taxation.
Monday, June 8th, 3pm - outside Senate chambers on the 3rd floor .
For more details e-mail Emily McNeill.

5. Serving Albany

Youth from FOCUS Churches are invited to participate in Serving Albany. This is
a great opportunity to be serving our community. This summer, Westminster
Presbyterian Church is hosting a Summer mission program where middle school
and high school youth will spend 3 full days Serving Albany in the South End. All
FOCUS youth are welcome to participate. After work each day, the youth will
gather for games, worship and dinner together. Please contact Pastor Frances
Rosenau (fwrosenau@wpcalbany.org) or click here to find out more.

7. Food Pantry
How Does Your Garden Grow?

FOCUS gardeners! tis the season to plant your vegetables. How about planting
an extra row with the intent of sharing your extra harvest of fresh produce with
the Food Pantry?

8. School Supply Project

Donations
Both supplies and monetary contributions are needed to equip children adequately for the start of the school year. Contributions should be marked
School Supplies and sent to FOCUS: 275 State Street, Albany 12210. Find
more information on the FOCUS website.

FOCUS Churches of Albany

275 State St. Albany NY 12210
518.443.0460
www.focuschurches.net