The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia has been active on a number of issues that currently have legislation pending in both state and federal legislatures. Action on each of these issues now is very important. Letters, calls, visits, and email are all useful. Elderly people with low incomes sometimes choose inexpensive items over more nutritious ones when they shop. Seniors who do not eat enough fruits and vegetables may become malnourished.
Inadequate nutrition can worsen chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Vouchers are distributed at senior centers and through other programs for older Pennsylvanians. In addition, the program helps family farms in Pennsylvania and supports farmers' markets in urban neighborhoods. A new prayer in school proposal has been introduced in the State House. Representative Kirkland of Delaware County is again proposing that the Secretary of Education be instructed to request that school districts start off each day with a prayer or a reading from a spiritual text like the Bible. The new proposal is HB 676.