.Friends,

This week, we wish all who celebrate Yom Kippur “G’mar chatima tova!” We also provide updates on the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program and Fund, note the signing of a critical voting rights bill, and pass along resources on COVID-19 vaccinations.

Wishing All Who Celebrate a Blessed Yom Kippur
I know that many in our community are observing Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement. This holiest of days, marks the culmination of Rosh Hashanah’s ten days of reflection and introspection, brings worshippers together in collective fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. I wish all who are observing this sacred day “G’mar chatima tova!” — “May your fate be sealed in the Book of Life.” May we all continue to reflect on the good that we can each bring into the world.

Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program and Fund
Access to quality, nutritious food is an economic, health, and social justice issue. During the 2021 General Assembly, I was happy to serve as chief patron to SB 1188 [link removed], a bill that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. This legislation established the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program and Fund, whose goal is to combat food insecurity across the Commonwealth by reimbursing Virginia farmers and growers for the cost of harvesting, processing, packing and transporting agricultural products that are donated to food banks and pantries. By bridging this divide, we are assisting both Virginia’s families in need and our local farming communities.

More information about the grant opportunity can be found here [link removed]. To be considered for this grant opportunity, organizations must submit their VAFA program application no later than 5:00pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2021. Applications may be emailed to [email protected].

Virginia Voting Rights Act
Governor Northam ceremonially signed the Virginia Voting Rights Act on Monday. Senator Jennifer McClellan and Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price provided remarkable leadership for this vital legislation during the 2021 General Assembly. This legislation codifies and protects voting rights for Virginia at a time when these rights are under assault both federally and within other states. As a reminder: in 2013, in the Supreme Court case Shelby v Holder, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was essentially gutted under Chief Justice John Roberts and left minority communities vulnerable, yet again, to state and local voter suppression efforts. The Virginia Voting Rights Act protects access to the ballot for our Commonwealth and stands as a xxxxxx against voter suppression and discrimination.

As we confront draconian, restrictive new voter suppression laws in states across the country, this bill could not come at a more critical time. Virginia has emerged as a leader in securing access to the ballot box.

Now, the Virginia statewide elections are fewer than 50 days away! The first day of in-person early voting is tomorrow, Friday, September 17, at your Local Voter Registration Office. You can check your registration status, find your polling location, and apply to vote by absentee mail on the Virginia Department of Elections website. [link removed]

COVID-19 testing and vaccinations
This week, the Commonwealth passed a grim milestone. Over 12,000 Virginians have died due to COVID-19. Now more than ever, it’s important for everyone in the community to remain vigilant and do their part⁠ — practice social distancing, wear masks while in indoor spaces, and, most of all, get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re already vaccinated but know people who are not, please encourage them to get the vaccine by sharing your own experience.

Here are COVID-19 resources for Powhatan County [www.powhatanva.gov/1692/COVID-19-Resources], the City of Richmond [www.rvastrong.org/], and Chesterfield County [www.chesterfield.gov/4859/County-Response-to-COVID-19]. The Virginia Department of Health website also has information: [link removed]

Contacting our office
I continue to have one-on-one meetings with constituents and organizations, both by Zoom and (now) in person. If you want to schedule a meeting, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. As a reminder, email is the best way to contact us. We can be reached at [email protected]. You can also schedule a meeting through our easy scheduling app.

— Ghazala


 


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| Paid for and authorized by Friends of Ghazala Hashmi |
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Friends of Ghazala Hashmi
PO Box 72923
Richmond VA 23235 United States

Senator Ghazala Hashmi was elected to office in 2019 and is honored to represent the 10th Senatorial District (parts of Richmond City and Chesterfield County, and all of Powhatan County). She chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Public Education and is committed to issues of education, healthcare, housing, the environment, and social justice.



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