Schedule and Link for Oct. 17-18, 2024 Delta Grassroots Caucus Zoom Meeting

Posted on October 17, 2024 at 03:55 PM

Delta Caucus Zoom meeting Oct. 17, 2024—5 p.m. To about 6:20 p.m.

5 p.m.—5:09 p.m.—Brad Cole, Municipal League of Illinois

5:09—6:20 p.m.—Health, hunger and nutrition

Lee Powell, Delta Caucus director

Joel Berg, Hunger Free America—5:09 to 5:20

Heather Collier, Southeast Missouri Food Bank—5:20 to 5:30

Pat Van Burkleo, Feeding Louisiana–5:30–5:40

Sylvia Blain, Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance—5:40–5:50

Mayor Tomeka Butler, Eudora, Arkansas—5:50—6 p.m.

6 p.m.—Discussion

Oct. 18, 2024—9 a.m. To 11:30 a.m.

9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.–“Big picture” panel on community and economic development in the Delta from several important regional leaders

Christopher Crane, Arkansas Economic Development Commission–9–9:10

Alan Gumbel, Black Business Association of Memphis, Tennessee–9:10–9:20

Elizabeth Rooks, Rooks Mediation Services–9:20–9:30

Mike Marshall, former Alternate Federal Co-Chair of the Delta Regional Authority, banker from Sikeston, Missouri–9:30–9:40

Diversity—9:40–10:05

9:40–9:50 a.m.–Mireya Reith, Arkansas United

9:50–10 a.m.–Loston Rowe, National Black Growers Council

Discussion

Education, Tourism and Regional Development–10;05 –10:35 a.m.

10:05–10:15 a.m.Cody Behles, University of Memphis–

10:15–10:25-Jen Mandel, University of Memphis

10:25–10:35–Shane Broadway, Arkansas State University (speaking on Johnny Cash statue in US Capitol)

Discussion

10:45 –11:05 a.m.—Speakers Supporting the Presidential Candidates

10:45-55 a.m.–Rhonda Belford, newly elected Republican National Committee National Committeewoman from Illinois; Trump delegate to the 2020 Republican National Convention, Alt. Trump Delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention; Chairman, Hardin County Illinois Republican Central Committee; Registered Nurse; Speaking in support of Donald Trump for President

10:55–11:05 a.m. –Wilson Golden (Mississippi native now residing in Georgia; former Clinton administration Presidential appointee, one of the managers for Delta Regional Initiative with Lee Powell and the late Al Eisenberg); Delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention (his 12th DNC); Attorney; Speaking in support of Kamala Harris for President

11:05 a.m. To 11:20 a.m.—Questions for speakers on the Presidential candidates

LINK

The link information to join the meeting is below. You can check the website at mdgc.us for the basic information about Delta Caucus activities.

Here’s the link to join the upcoming Delta Caucus Zoom meeting, which is Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 from 5 p.m. To 6:20 p.m. And the Friday session is Oct. 18, 2024 from 9 a.m. To about noon.

Delta Caucus Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87392618940?

pwd=m5cOon79a8nTg6La1fAI7vKS4CYg80.1

Meeting ID: 873 9261 8940

Passcode: 522533

NOTE: You will need to type in the codes to enter the conference because this is NOT an automatic link.

REGISTRATION FEES

The fastest and easiest way to pay the $50 registration fees is to go on the website at mdgc.us and go to the PayPal link that says “Donate.”

If you prefer to pay by check, please make out the check to “Delta Caucus” and mail to:

Delta Caucus 5030 Purslane Place Waldorf, MD 20601

Thanks—Lee Powell, Delta Caucus (202) 360-6347

Deadline is Friday, Oct. 10 to Register for Oct. 17-18 Delta Caucus Zoom Meeting

Posted on October 08, 2024 at 02:15 PM

Deadline is Friday, Oct. 10 to RSVP for Delta Zoom

Schedule, Link and Registration information for Oct. 17-18, 2024 Delta Caucus Zoom meeting

The deadline is Friday Oct. 10 to register and pay the $50 registration fees for the Oct. 17-18, 2024 Zoom meeting.

After Oct. 10 fees go up to $80.

We only have three speakers who have not confirmed that this schedule is fine. There are usually a few unavoidable last-minute changes when people have unexpected matters that come up that have an impact on their schedules.

Please reply directly to this message. It will go directly to Lee Powell at leepowell@delta.comcastbiz.net

These times are estimates. Please stay flexible. Some times could be 10 minutes or so different, depending on how the schedule works out, but the times will mostly be very similar to this.

Oct. 17, 2024—5 p.m. To about 6:20 p.m.

5 p.m.—5:09 p.m.—Brad Cole, Municipal League of Illinois

5:09—6:20 p.m.—Health, hunger and nutrition

Joel Berg, Hunger Free America—5:09 to 5:20

Heather Collier, Southeast Missouri Food Bank—5:20 to 5:30

Pat Van Burkleo, Feeding Louisiana–5:30–5:40

Sylvia Blain, Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance—5:40–5:50

Mayor Tomeka Butler, Eudora, Arkansas—5:50—6 p.m.

6 p.m.—Discussion, if there is interest

Oct. 18, 2024—9 a.m. To 11:30 a.m.

9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.–“Big picture” panel on community and economic development in the Delta from several important regional leaders

Lee Powell, Delta Caucus Director

Christopher Crane, Arkansas Economic Development Commission–9:a.m.

Alan Gumbel, Black Business Association of Memphis, Tennessee–9:10

Elizabeth Rooks, Rooks Mediation Services–9:20

Mike Marshall, former Alternate Federal Co-Chair of the Delta Regional Authority, banker from Sikeston, Missouri–9:30

Discussion

Diversity—9:50 a.m. To 10:15 a.m.

Erendira Vasquez or Mireya Reith, Arkansas United

Speaker from the National Black Growers Council

Education, Tourism and Regional Development–10;15 –10:45 a.m.

Cody Behles, University of Memphis–

Jen Mandel, University of Memphis

Shane Broadway, Arkansas State University (speaking on Johnny Cash statue in US Capitol)

10:50 –11:20 a.m.—Speakers Supporting the Presidential Candidates

10:50–11 a.m.–Rhonda Belford, newly elected Republican National Committee National Committeewoman from Illinois; Chairman, Hardin County Illinois Republican Central Committee; Registered Nurse; Speaking in support of Donald Trump for President

11: am to 11:10 a.m. –Wilson Golden (Mississippi native now residing in Georgia; attorney; former Clinton administration Presidential appointee, one of the managers for Delta Regional Initiative with Lee Powell and the late Al Eisenberg) Speaking in support of Kamala Harris for President

11:10 a.m. To 11:20 a.m.—Questions for speakers on the Presidential candidates

LINK

Here’s the link to join the upcoming Delta Caucus Zoom meeting, which is Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 from 5 p.m. To 6:20 p.m. And the Friday session is Oct. 18, 2024 from 9 a.m. To about noon.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87392618940?

pwd=m5cOon79a8nTg6La1fAI7vKS4CYg80.1

Meeting ID: 873 9261 8940

Passcode: 522533

NOTE: You will need to type in the codes to enter the conference because this is NOT an automatic link.

$50 REGISTRATION FEES

The fastest and easiest way to pay the $50 registration fees is to go on the website at mdgc.us and go to the PayPal link that says “Donate.”

If you prefer to pay by check, please make out the check to “Delta Caucus” and mail to:

Delta Caucus

5030 Purslane Place

Waldorf, MD 20601

Thanks—Lee Powell, Delta Caucus (202) 360-6347

Link for Delta Caucus Zoom Meeting & Registration Info for Oct. 17-18, 2024

Posted on August 15, 2024 at 02:05 PM

For Delta Caucus partners:

The link and registration information for the Oct. 17-18, 2024 Delta Caucus meeting by Zoom are below in this email.

Please register for the Delta Caucus Zoom meeting by paying the registration fees—​how to do that is below.​

LINK:

Here’s the link for the upcoming Delta Caucus Zoom meeting, which is Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 from 5 p.m. To 6:20 p.m. And the Friday session is Oct. 18, 2024 from 9 a.m. To about noon.

Delta Caucus Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87392618940?

pwd=m5cOon79a8nTg6La1fAI7vKS4CYg80.1

Meeting ID: 873 9261 8940

Passcode: 522533

NOTE: You may need to type in the codes to enter the conference because this is NOT a link.

REGISTRATION:

We ask that you register for the fall conference and send in the $50 registration fees/annual dues as soon as possible. We plan a fall Zoom conference for Oct. 17, about 5 p.m. To 6:20 p.m., and Oct. 18, from about 9 a.m. to noon.

You register by paying the $50 registration fees/annual membership dues.

If you can’t schedule the Oct. 17-18 Zoom conference but want to be supportive of our activities, please send the $50 annual membership dues.

The fastest and easiest way to pay the $50 registration fees/annual dues is to go to the website at mdgc.us and go to the PayPal link that says donate.

If you prefer to pay by check, please make out the check to “Delta Caucus” and mail to:

Delta Caucus

5030 Purslane Place

Waldorf, MD 20601

Among the current key issues are included job creation at good wages, support for USDA hunger and nutrition, agriculture and rural development programs, US DOT and other transportation and infrastructure initiatives, the Small Business Administration, health care for underserved populations, Delta Heritage tourism, support for the Delta Regional Authority budget, and related community and economic development subjects.

Please advise if you would suggest another issue or issues as a top priority.

Thanks—Lee Powell, Delta Caucus (202) 360-6347​

Call for Increased Funding and Fair Policies for DRA and all 8 Regional Commissions in the USA

Posted on July 16, 2024 at 02:02 PM

The Delta Caucus and economic equality advocates across the country support the eight regional commissions that promote community and economic development in 40 states across the country.

We support not just the Delta Regional Authority but all eight regional commissions, and all of them merit increased funding and support. This is a collaborative and not a competitive effort among all regions.

Funding levels are all over the map: The funding levels, unfortunately, are a hodge-podge whereby some commissions get much greater amounts, some get much smaller amounts, and two commissions have no funding at all and so basically exist only on paper.

We know of no reasonable, unbiased person who would believe that this is a rational, fair system, but the basic problem is that very few people have focused on the eight commissions as a whole. Each region tends to focus—not surprisingly—on their home area. We are calling for a comprehensive look at the entire picture.​

We ask all Congressional, executive branch, state officials, and grassroots partners to focus on this situation and bring about a rational, fair policy based on objective criteria such as each region’s population, geographical size and characteristics, levels of poverty, and serious needs.

An approach that proclaims, “Fund my home region but who cares about the others” will fall flat on its face before the national focus of Congress and the national executive branch. It has to be inclusive and collaborative.

Clearly, all regional advocates agree that the funding should go in each area to the most economically distressed areas that most need help.

This is NOT “big spending” because all the commissions are either somewhat under-funded or severely under-funded, and two have no funds at all.

The total amount of funding for all the commissions put together is at present approximately $320 million, which is a tiny amount of the overall massive federal budget of about $6.5 trillion.

All these commissions combined make up less than 0.005 of the federal budget.

The states are also involved but most of the funding comes from the federal side.

A quick summary of the widely divergent, approximate funding and size of the regions in recent years:

1) ARC: $200 million

ARC operates in 423 counties in parts of 13 states from Mississippi to New York.

2)Northern Border Regional Commission: $40 million

Northern Border RC operates in four states: much of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine

3)Delta Regional Authority: $30 million

DRA operates in 252 counties and parishes in parts of 8 states

4) Southeast Crescent Regional Commission: $20 million

Southeast Crescent operates in 7 states: Florida, parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi

5) Denali Commission in Alaska: $15 million

Denali Commission operates in Alaska, with emphasis on economically distressed areas, often including indigenous populations

6) Southwest Border Regional Commission: $5 million

Operates along the tremendously lengthy border in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas

7) Northern Great Plains Commission: Authorization lapsed in FY 2018

Operates in six states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, and most of Missouri

Once received $1.5 million in FY 2004. No current authorization

8) Great Lakes Authority: Zero appropriations

Six states: all of Michigan, parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York

Some basic facts and background about each commission:

Continue reading...

Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance's Constructive Work in Promoting Nutrition (Summary of 2023 Impact)

Posted on June 25, 2024 at 12:07 PM

The Delta Caucus would like to recognize the achievements of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance with this summary of their 2023 impact from Lance Whitney of the Alliance, who has spoken at several Delta Caucus conferences over the years. Thanks–Lee Powell, Delta Caucus

ARKANSAS HUNGER RELIEF ALLIANCE 2023 IMPACT

DID YOU KNOW: The Alliance cultivates gardens on 15+ acres across Arkansas.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) team answered 12,331 calls in 2023, a 6% increase over 2022.

Alliance applications resulted in 62,764 meal equivalent and a $1.7 million boost to local economies.

ARKANSAS GLEANING PROJECT– Over 1 million pounds of food grown & gleaned in Arkansas!

772 SNAP Applications Taken in 2023

SOURCED over 4 million pounds of food, providing 3.5+ million meals.

DISTRIBUTED $37,300 in emergency gift cards to Arkansans in need. ADVOCATED to eliminate reduced-price meal copay, providing 49,000 Arkansas students access to no-cost breakfast & lunch.

• $56,250 in stipends for classes, equipment and transportation assistance.

94.5% of every dollar donated goes straight to our mission and vision. The program is to increase fresh fruit and vegetable consumption of patients diagnosed with obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Participants are offered nutrition education to build confidence in preparing healthy, low-cost meals.

We implemented the inaugural ARKANSAS FRUIT & VEGETABLE PRESCRIPTION program funded by a federal USDA grant in partnership with Baptist Health and UAMS. This accomplished key goals:

$771,868 AWARDED TO HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS IN 2023.

496 VOLUNTEERS gave 5,448 hours

ADVOCACY Every member is an advocate. This year we connected with members of Arkansas’s Congressional delegation and the majority of the Arkansas Legislature through Serving Up Solutions, Lobby Day, and other advocacy efforts in D.C. and across the state.

We pushed for an increase in SNAP asset limits and advocated for the elimination of the reduced price co-pay for Arkansas families. The Farm Bill was a priority this year. The bill, vital for SNAP, also funds The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) that provides commodities to food banks, and the National School Lunch Program.