Butterfly PAC

Dear Friends of The Butterfly PAC,

Our founder, the late A.J. Wagner, would often say the reason he devoted his time and resources to creating the Butterfly PAC was, “No one wants children to live in poverty and in hunger. Providing education, working on research, and interacting with elected officials is our hope to make a difference, to move the trajectory.” In this spirit the Butterfly PAC was born to work with elected officials to move forward with them to eradicate childhood hunger and poverty.

Following A.J.’s death, you responded to keep his memory and commitment alive. Thank you cannot begin to express the depth of gratitude of his family, his colleagues and most importantly, the children impacted by poverty and hunger. Your support is making a difference.

This past year, A.J.’s illness and death have brought significant changes to the Butterfly PAC. In the wake of his cancer diagnosis, leadership changes were put into place to ensure that the mission of the Butterfly PAC would continue. A new board was created, more seats were set at the table and, inspired by A.J.’s vision, we hope to bring our shared dream to fruition.

In the Fall a group of six of us, three original teammates and three new ones, set out to renew and deepen the Butterfly PAC’s commitment to serve the poor and hungry. We hope that you will continue to join us with your support of the Butterfly PAC in eliminating childhood hunger and poverty.

Your donations are used to encourage and support candidates who are leading efforts to compassionately address the needs of poor and hungry people.

We’ve attached our renewed vision and mission for you to review. We have thought long and hard on it, and we feel it honors A.J.’s founding intent as well as his lifelong commitment to compassion and mercy. May you be ignited to serve those most in need with humility and kindness.

In thanksgiving for the past and looking with hope to the future,

Vickie Asikoye, Vice Chair
Shannon Kaschak, Secretary
Marv Baldwin, Treasurer
Nick Arena, Board Director
Pankaj Agarwal, Advisor

Join us at Butterfly PAC where we create
the political will to end poverty and hunger

The Butterfly Effect:

A small change in a complex dynamic system can lead to large consequences. A butterfly can flap its wings in Ohio ultimately creating a cool breeze in Kenya.

A New Approach

Most NGOs working on these issues wait for legislation they can support or work to create legislation. We take a different tack. We provide tangible support to elected officials or candidates who commit to being leaders in the fight for a healthy, loving world. We will support them and in return they will make ending poverty and hunger one of their top legislative priorities.

Poverty and hunger are increasing. As reported by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, COVID-19 has caused a sharp increase in humanitarian need. ButterflyPAC promotes policies that will get out ahead of these numbers:

Around the World

An astounding 370 %

more people are experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger since last year.

A tragic 45 million

people are now at risk of famine.

53.7 million

Children face permanent physical and mental damage from hunger and malnutrition this year.

United States

More than 40 million

people in the U.S. will live in poverty in 2022.

13 million

children in the U.S. will face food insecurity in 2022.

Sadly, 60 million

people will make use of a food bank or food pantry in the U.S. this year.

Solutions

Impact of government and private agencies on global poverty:

A Washington Post editorial stated: “Humankind knows no greater tragedy than the death of a small child. Thanks to quiet but powerful progress in public health, that tragedy is far less common than it once was — including in the planet’s developing regions.

“As recently as 1990, the global annual rate of death for children under the age of 5 was 82 for every 1,000 live births. In 2019, that rate was 37 per 1,000 live births. If the present trend continues, the rate could reach 28 by 2030. And with additional effort from private agencies and governments, it could fall even further, hitting the target, 25 per 1,000, set under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“Impact of government and private agencies on global poverty: More than a quarter of the decline in child mortality over the past 28 years occurred in booming India, where 1.2 million fewer children died in 2000 than in 2017. Actions by governmental and nongovernmental agencies, to distribute lifesaving technology and medicines more widely, also were essential.”

How YOU make the difference.

How Leverage Works

Open Secrets reports that in 2019 political contributions by gas and oil interests in the U.S were nearly $126 million. In return, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute reports that the energy industry receives in excess of $20 billion in subsidies.This is a 1,580% return on their investment!

Using Leverage to Eradicate Poverty

For every dollar spent by the oil and gas industry they get about $158 in return. However, this only works because they spend large amounts of money to influence government. By carefully leveraging smaller amounts of money, we can influence politicians who will then create policies that benefit the poor and hungry. Those without a voice, those who have suffered in silence, will be silent no more. Your contributions, no matter how small, will be combined with other contributions to build power and influence for pro-poor policies – policies that are proven to work and that, in the long run, benefit us all.

How Leverage Changes the Future

Well-fed, educated children will become the adults who improve their communities, their countries and our world. By investing in their health and wellness, a just and equitable future for all becomes more and more possible.

We need a radical transformation of our political priorities to eradicate poverty and hunger. Our strategies will lead to this transformation.

Build on the Brilliance of Others

Many progressive organizations, politicians, and thought leaders have developed and implemented compelling policy solutions. We will prioritize the policies that will most effectively transform the political landscape.

Foster a Groundswell

Many policies that deal with poverty and hunger are extremely popular once people understand them. We will strategically market ideas and policies at a national level to educate and mobilize.

Properly Define Patriotism

Patriotism, by definition, requires an adherence to our Constitution that demands we “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” We will remind Americans about our values of justice, liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Focus Strategically

It is a false choice to choose between a top-down or a grassroots approach. Transformation happens at all levels, simultaneously and interdependently. We will identify and target political campaigns and legislation to support that which can make the biggest difference whether this is at the federal, state, or local levels.

Embrace Democracy

Voting is one of the most underutilized tools in America. For true transformation to occur, more people need to become involved in the electoral process. It is possible to change America at the ballot box. We will help to mobilize voters to elect strong, caring candidates and then hold them accountable.

Monitor Results

ButterflyPAC will hold our elected officials accountable. We will also hold ourselves accountable by constantly monitoring the effectiveness of our work.

News

News and Views

“Poverty is a very complicated issue, but feeding a child isn’t.”- Jeff Bridges

YOU

Can Make a Just World

Donate today

What if every child had enough to eat, a great education, and a bright future?

What if enough politicians took a stand to end poverty and hunger?

What if YOU could make this happen?

Dear Friends of The Butterfly PAC,

Join us at Butterfly PAC where we create
the political will to end poverty and hunger

The Butterfly Effect:

A small change in a complex dynamic system can lead to large consequences. A butterfly can flap its wings in Ohio ultimately creating a cool breeze in Kenya.