Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 2-23-16 Edition

Features
Proposed Food Stamp Changes Would Increase Healthy Options
The United States De- partment of Agriculture is proposing that stores ac- cepting food stamps carry at least 168 healthy food options to stay in the pro- gram.
The Supplemental Nutri- tion Assistance Program (SNAP) currently requires that retailers have at least three varieties from each of the four food groups: fruits and vegetables; dairy; breads and cereals and meats, poultry and fish.
The proposed rule changes would mandate that stores carry seven vari- eties of each food group
and include perishable op- tions for three of the food groups.
The changes could affect local convenience stores ability to keep accepting food stamps.
Under the new rules, the more than 46 million peo- ple using food stamps can still buy all the junk food they want. But, they would also have more healthy op- tions to select from if they chose to eat healthier.
The USDA said stores not near grocery stores could be waived to insure that they don’t affect SNAP recipients’ access.
Parents Of Young Men Serving Unjust Sentences Form Coalition
The Dungys Deliver Baskets Of Hope To Patients
In this photo are Tony Dungy, his wife, Lauren, and their son, Jason as they make their rounds delivering baskets of hope at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
For more than 15 years, Shirley Copeland and Brunette McCray have been fighting the criminal justice system on their pol- icy of mandatory minimum sentencing. Both women have sons who were im- pacted by this law, and now they are forming a coalition to address the discrepancies in the law and how it im- pacts young African Ameri- can males exclusively.
“All you have to do is look inside the prisons, and you’ll who has suffered the most from thee unjust sen- tencing guidelines,” said Mrs. Copeland.
“We are encouraging peo- ple to join FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Mini- mums) and speak loud and clear about how unfair the
laws are and demand they be changed.”
Mrs. Copeland and Ms. McCray are circulating a petition for sentencing re- form, and they want people to contact them to make sure they get to sign the pe- tition.
“Time is of the essence because things are changing quickly on federal sentenc- ing guidelines.
“People need to visit FAMM’s website for infor- mation, go to the petition section, and sign their peti- tion. Right now, they are the lead group for getting these laws changed.”
The ladies said also every- one who has applied for clemency needs to check to see if their request has been denied.
“Family members need to check the Department of Justice website and scroll to
the section on clemency. “We are also concerned that a lot of inmates aren’t getting the medical atten- tion they need, and that needs to be investigated. Statistics already show more prisoners are dying in prison, and in some cases it’s due to abuse from the
guards at the prisons.” Mrs. Copeland and Ms. McCray said they’ve gotten a lot of support from par- ents who have sons and daughters serving unjust sentences, and they want to
hear from more.
“When you talk about
putting together a coalition, it will take a lot of people who want their voices to be heard and are not afraid to speak their mind to give it strength.”
To contact Ms. Copeland, call (813) 562- 2861.
SHIRLEY COPELAND And BRUNETTE MCCRAY
Still celebrating his induc- tion into the NFL Hall of Fame this month, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Indianapolis Colts head coach, Tony Dungy, along with his wife, Lauren, and son, Jason, delivered more than 300 gift baskets and totes to pediatric patients and their families at St.
Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Friday.
The gifts were a part of Super Baskets of Hope, a na- tionwide charity led by Coach Dungy and the Bas- ket of Hope organization.
It is estimated that more than 5,000 baskets will be delivered to hospitalized children across the nation.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016