from the Idaho Statesman BY ANNA WEBBRick Frechette wears sandals and carries a rosary in his pocket. The rosary, its beads woven from brown thread, is nearly weightless. Frechette's skin is ruddy, a sharp contrast to the white vestments he wore Saturday when he helped lead mass at St. John's Cathedral.Frechette, a priest and medical doctor, made his annual visit to Boise from Haiti this weekend. The visits cement a connection between the Valley and a country infamous for its poverty.This time around, his travel plans were nearly derailed by the hurricanes that struck the Caribbean and had "Father Rick" wading through mud, bringing water to stranded people and helping nuns trapped on rooftops.Over 15 years, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center's "Project Haiti" has given more than $1...
from the Idaho Statesman Pastor signed up on a whim, and once his congregation found out it got behind himELSEWHEREBY SHAWN RAECKEHenry Devries, of Kamloops, British Columbia, had never ridden a bike long distance. In fact, he didn't even own a bike that could handle a cross-country endeavor.But Sunday morning, Devries was among 220 riders taking part in the Sea to Sea Bike Tour, a tour across America to raise money and awareness for global poverty, at a stop in Julia Davis Park in Boise. The trans-continental bike event from Seattle to Jersey City, N.J., is believed to be the largest cross-country bike tour ever, according to event coordinators.Devries joined other participants in a worship service at Julia Davis Park on Sunday as surprised as anyone to be there.For Devries, the whole...
from the Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesBy Phil Oliff and Nicholas JohnsonIdaho is one of seven states that taxes groceries at the same rate as other goods. It is one of five states that offer a credit or rebate to mitigate the tax. But even though the tax falls most heavily on low-income families, Idaho—unlike any other state—excludes many poor families (mostly working families) from receiving the credit. This uniquely flawed policy has no policy justification. It would be simple and relatively inexpensive to make all Idaho families eligible for the credit.Idaho Excludes Poor Families from its Grocery CreditFor those who are eligible to receive it, Idaho’s grocery tax credit provides a flat $20 per person for individuals under the age of 65 and $35 per person for...
from the Arbiter OnlineJACQUELINE WAYMENT The Volunteer Services Board at Boise State University is presenting Poverty Week, Nov. 12-16."The goal of VSB is to raise awareness on campus and in the community about poverty and to provide students with an opportunity to get involved," Poverty Issues Coordinator for VSB Blair Davidson said.Four different events on various topics highlight the week, ranging from human trafficking to finding ways to help impoverished villages in Honduras access clean water.Monday's presentation featured a documentary on uncovering the truth about human trafficking and how it stems from impoverished countries.Students simulated what the distribution of wealth looks like in the world Tuesday. At the Hunger Banquet, students were split up into three different...