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No One Should Have to Fight This Hard for Daily Bread: Opinion by Bishop Deborah Hutterer
This op-ed by Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer, addressing the sharp decline in SNAP participation in Arizona, was first published by the Arizona Daily Star on Tuesday, April 28.
ELCA Action Alert: Strengthen Hunger Provisions in the Farm Bill
ELCA Action Alert updated April 28. This alert includes op-ed by Bishop Deborah Hutterer and a letter to members of the U.S. House from the Rev. Amy Reumann, ELCA Senior Director for Witness in Society urging adoption of critical amendments in the Farm Bill. Act today!
Advocacy Update from Arizona Food Bank Network
April 27, 2026. Today’s newsletter warns that steep losses in SNAP and AHCCCS coverage, coupled with state budget pressures and looming Farm Bill decisions, are raising urgent concerns about hunger and health insecurity while making advocacy and the 2026 elections especially consequential.
ELCA Action Alert: Protect Employment Authorization for Those Seeking Asylum
ELCA Action Alert from April 16. Join the ELCA in urging Congress to protect employment authorization for those seeking asylum. Comment on the government’s proposal (from now until Apr. 24, 2026) and/or contact your legislator.
Arizona's Children Need Support: Our FY27 Budget Priorities
Arizona’s Children’s Action Alliance FY27 budget priorities call on state leaders to urgently invest in food security, child care, health care, and family supports to address growing hardship and ensure all children can thrive.
LAMA Joins Statewide Coalition to Support Continued Investment in School Meals
LAMA joined a broad Arizona coalition urging lawmakers to continue funding school meals, highlighting how eliminating small co-pays helps ensure every child has access to the nutrition they need to learn and thrive.
Domestic Hunger Grants: Now accepting letters of inquiry
Need help funding your hunger ministry? ELCA World Hunger’s 2027 Domestic Hunger Grants are easier than ever to apply for, and faster to receive the funds. Letters of inquiry are due July 1!
The truth behind Arizona’s SNAP free fall
Arizona’s steep drop in SNAP enrollment—nearly half its recipients—stems not only from new federal rules but also from the state’s aggressive implementation and added bureaucratic hurdles that are making it harder for eligible residents to access food assistance.
New report on Housing and Homelessness in Arizona
New report titled Housing Arizona by the ASU Morrison Institute for Public Policy is now available for download. The Background Report Launch of "Housing Arizona" is April 23 at Rio Salado College.
The Call of Welcome: Supporters Standing with Immigrants and Refugees
Inspired by a refugee family her own family hosted when she was just 11, Vicki Schmidt has dedicated decades to supporting those seeking safety. Watch her journey and discover how answering the call of welcome brings hope to refugees and immigrants, and meaning to those who choose to walk alongside them.
800 Pounds of Hope: Help Feed Families at Synod Assembly
Join the 2026 Synod Assembly hands-on service project on Thursday, June 11 as we pack 800 pounds of rice and 800 pounds of beans for the West Valley Community Food Pantry and First Place Community Center Food Bank.
Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet
Earth Day 2026 Theme: Our Power, Our Planet. Click for tips, actions and activities for Earth Day 2026, and watch the theme video. Join the world’s largest environmental movement!
Arizona's food stamp program sees largest decline in US. Here's why
Arizona has seen a 47% decline in food stamp participation, the largest of any state, due to new eligibility rules and a shortage of state workers. AZ Republic article by Ray Stern.
Thank You, Region 2! 400+ Join Lenten Challenge to Serve Christ in Our Neighbor
More than 400 participants across ELCA Region 2 joined this year’s 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge, reflecting on Matthew 25 and responding through prayer, devotion, and generosity. The online giving portal for ELCA World Hunger remains open through May 31, offering continued opportunity for individuals and congregations to participate.
Update on AZ Bills LAMA Tracked
While we wait for the Arizona State Legislature to complete the budget and confirm appropriations, we thought you might like to see what happened to the bills LAMA has been monitoring this session on Hunger, Healthcare, Voting and Housing.
U.S. Faith Communities Unite In Support of Birthright Citizenship
Faith leaders, including the ELCA, urged the U.S. Supreme Court to protect birthright citizenship, arguing that restricting it would violate constitutional principles and harm vulnerable families and communities.
A prayer for advocates through Holy Week and beyond
We at LAMA offer this Holy Week prayer for our friends and neighbors, leaders and advocates all.
Protecting People, Peace and Planet: 2026 Ecumenical Advocacy Days
April 20-22, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Diverse faith traditions gather to inspire and strengthen their call to Congress to commit to Protecting People, Peace, and Planet! Includes worship, workshops, and a lobby day. Scholarships available.