Global Call September 10

Three items of interest today.

First, House Resolution 1268 on Foreign Aid Reform. RESULTS is hoping for 100 co-sponsors for this resolution which would make US foreign aid more effective and less self-serving. For instance, USAID is required to purchase food in the US and ship it on US vessels rather than purhasing food overseas, which would cost 50 percent less than US food, or shipping on foreign vessels which would significantly reduce delivery costs. So far there are 27 co-sponsors. I will call Congressman Loebsack's office to lobby for him to support this resolution.

Second, the House letter to the World Bank on microcredit. You may have seen news of this long-awaited letter in the RESULTS weekly updates. When I call Loebsack's office on HR 1268 I will also see about him signing the letter.

Finally, fundraising. RESULTS needs about $50,000 to cover shortfalls in income and larger than expected expenses, so groups are asked to do a fall fundraiser. When I told Allison we were working on the marketing phase for herb bread sales, she was delighted. I ordered bread yesterday, which will be delivered Monday afternoon. I also bought butter and it's in the frig at Christ Church. I will be in Monday afternoon to start softening the butter so it's ready to go at 7 when we get together. I'm also going to buy a box of non-latex gloves so we can observe proper food-handling procedures. This is going to be fun!