Sorry to disappoint, but this post has no connection to Syracuse University, college football, or the Bears.

Instead we’re talking hunger.  And $40 Billion.

I spoke about going orange in my sermon on Sunday. It’s easy enough to change a Twitter or Facebook profile to support the cause. It’s easy enough to read about ways to join the campaign:

• locally with West Suburban Community Pantry
• regionally with Greater Chicago Food Depository
• nationally with No Kid Hungry

It’s easy enough (though infuriating) to read about the devastating effects of the $40 billion cuts to SNAP currently proposed in the U.S. House. (Thanks, Bread for the World!)

Finally it’s even fairly easy to make your voice known. Here are some ways to do it from Doug Schenkelberg, who does advocacy and outreach for Greater Chicago Food Depository:

sample alert:

This week, the House of Representatives will vote on a Farm Bill proposal that will cut $40 billion from SNAP. The cut would translate into about 1.5 billion lost meals for hungry families every year for the next 10 years. This is on top of the looming benefit reductions that will impact all SNAP participants starting in November 2013.

The combined cuts would increase hunger in America and is not the way to balance our nation’s budget.

We must send a strong message to Congress. Join the National Call in Day on Tuesday, September 17 and help us flood the phone lines by urging your Representative to oppose the bill and mobilizing your local supporters to do the same!

Calling Congress is easy. Here’s how:

Call the advocacy hotline at 800-826-3688 (toll free number provided by Bread for the World)

Once you are connected to your Representative, state that you are a constituent and give your name and the town you are calling from. Be sure to give the name of the food bank or local agency you are affiliated with.

Let them know you are calling about the Farm Bill and deliver this important message:

As your constituent I am asking you to vote against the House Farm Bill proposal to cut $40 billion from SNAP. This bill will be devastating to struggling Americans, and charity cannot fill the gap. I understand the need to reduce the deficit, but increasing hunger is not the way to do it. Please oppose this bill.

Sample tweets

· Oppose $40 billion in cuts to SNAP. Call your US Representative today. 800-826-3688

· Tell your Congress not to cut 4-6 million people from SNAP. Tell them to vote No. 800-826-3688

The truth is making calls to Congress always makes me a little nervous. I have to force myself to do it. But I’m always glad after I do. Join me, won’t you?

What will you do to help hungry people this week?