WETA, PBS' local affiliate, this evening launched an multifront call to action, asking supporters to contact their congressional representatives following a House committee vote to slash PBS' budget.

Labeling the situation a "crisis," WETA's campaign will include emails to members, on-air announcements, as well as mailings and a just-launched "Take Action" webpage with FAQs and information on contacting Congress.

"WETA stands to lose directly more than $1 million this year -- and our full federal grand of $4 million next year -- that we rely on to serve our community with broadcasts and to provide children's programs and outreach workshops," the website explains.

"We would experience further losses as PBS stations lose their ability to fund programs that WETA produces for national broadcast, including The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Washington Week, documentaries from Ken Burns and our many performance specials," it continues.

Maybe Cookie Monster will go from dining on cookies to vegetables to scraps stolen from McDonalds' dumpsters.