Let Your Light Shine!

Epiphany is the season of light. It is a reminder of Christ’s call to let our light shine for those experiencing darkness in their lives.  Mount Tabor answers that call in many ways.  Our support of the St. Vincent De Paul Center (dinner at Vinnies), Crossroads Urban Center, Family Promise, Utah Food Bank, American Red Cross (blood drives), our Food Assistance Program, our Emergency Assistance Program, and many more.  Mount Tabor truly does show up for those in need.  We are also called to be the voice of the voiceless, to be advocates for the vulnerable among us.  We have an opportunity to be that voice as our state legislature meets over the next several weeks.  For the first time in many years there appears to be real bi-partisan momentum for the elimination of the state’s portion of the sales tax on food.  The sales tax on food disproportionately impacts low income families particularly during times of surging inflation for food.  Eliminating the state’s portion would help families avoid being taxed into poverty and homelessness. 

In addition, Governor Cox has proposed that the budget for the coming fiscal year include $100 million in one-time funds to produce 2000 units of affordable housing, $19 million in on-going funding for tax credits and housing trust funding plus $5 million in one-time funds to the housing trust fund to produce 1,000 new units of affordable housing over the next ten years. This is huge! Such funding would go a long way in addressing the needs of our unsheltered neighbors and those on the brink of homelessness.

Be the voice of the voiceless.  Join with the Coalition of Religious Communities (CORC) by contacting your state representative and senator and urging them to support the elimination of the state’s portion of the sales tax on food and to support Governor Cox’s budget proposals for affordable housing.  To find your representative you can go to: le.utah.gov.

Casey White, Church Council Social Action Liaison