FOCUS Churches of Albany 275 State St. Albany NY 12210

518.443.0460

www.focuschurches.net

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1. FOCUS Summer Worship

2. School Supply Drive

3. Advocacy Updates

4. Empty Bowls 2016

5. Volunteer Picnic

6. Senior Issues Forum

7. Summer Appeal

1. FOCUS Summer Worship

FOCUS Summer Worship

One of the best parts of FOCUS is worshiping together on the first Sun-

day of the summer months. Here we are at Emmanuel Baptist Church

on August 2.

Our next combined worship service will on Sunday, September 6th at

Trinity United Methodist Church, 9:30 am, followed by a presentation

on the new FOCUS grocery collaborative project.

FIGHT FOR $15

Fight for $15 - The Wage Board has given its recommendations to the Commissioner of Labor in support of raising the minimum wage for fast

food workers to $15/hour by 2018 in NYC, and 2021 upstate. While we

are disappointed at the long implementation time, this is a major victory

nonetheless. There is a brief window for additional public comment before

the Commissioner makes the final report to the Governor. Please click this

link today and send a letter that you support these recommendations, and

would in fact like them to be implemented faster.

On July 29th, Chris McNabb from the National Religious Campaign Against

Torture and Joe Paparone delivered FOCUS postcards to Assembly-

members Angelo Santabarbara and John McDonald, asking them to sign

on to the HALT Solitary Confinement act. Were awaiting their responses, but Joe and Chris had an excellent conversation with John McDonald and

are optimistic about his support.

CHILD NUTRITION The federal legislature is beginning their August re-

cess, but when they return they will begin consider-

ing several bills regarding Childhood Nutrition.

Please take a moment to learn about the bills here

and send our representatives a letter here asking

them to co-sponsor these critical anti-hunger bills.

Your donations make a difference especially as we move into August

Click Here to Learn More About the Summer Appeal

6. Summer Appeal

August 24 through August 27, 9 am to 1 pm.

Donations may be dropped off at FUUSA (First Unitarian Universalist

Society of Albany) 405 Washington Ave. in Albany.

August 31 or September 2-4, volunteers are needed to pack and distrib-

ute supplies. If you can help, please call Belinda at the FOCUS office,

443-0460 or email her at belindaq@focuschurches.net.

2. School Supply Drive

3. Advocacy Updates

4. Empty Bowls 2016

Spend Valentines Day in the afternoon enjoying hand-made bowls and savory soups all to raise funds to fight against hunger in our

communities. Help is needed on the planning committee - Can you

lend a hand? Please call or e-mail revdeb@focuschurches.net

5. Volunteer Picnic Thank You!

Over 75 people gathered for a thank you picnic on a lovely summers eve. FOCUS would not be FOCUS without the love, dedication and commit-

ment of our 120 volunteers who share in the work of the interfaith food

pantry, the winter breakfast, the Breakfast Express, and advocacy work.

6. Senior Issues Forum

On Wednesday July 22, FOCUS Churches of Albany was well represented

at the Capital District Senior Issues Forum on Faith Communities: Keep-

ing Seniors Connected and Engaged! Pastor Susan Vincent-Cox (First

Church in Albany) led the keynote address. Belinda Quaye (FOCUS Volun-

teer Coordinator) and Lois Wilson (Westminster Presbyterian); Pastor Su-

san Vincent-Cox and Cheryl Gowie (First Church in Albany) were on the

Connecting Seniors panel.