Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA-28) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL-10) submitted a bipartisan bill that starts the process of overhauling U.S. foreign aid. The Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009 or H.R. 2139, calls on the President to create a national strategy for global development.

• VIDEO  |  David Beckmann calls on representatives to cosponsor HR 2139.

• Contact your representative.

• Learn about the need to reform U.S. foreign aid.

• Help Pass H.R. 2139. Make a gift today.

Bread for the World's Gathering 2009 took place June 14-16 in Washington, DC.

The Gathering brought together seasoned and new, young and old, rich and poor, and a rainbow of ethnicity, gender, and theological and political persuasion.

35th Anniversary Dinner: 
On June 15, Bread for the World celebrated 35 years of advocacy. María Otero, president of ACCIÓN International was the keynote speaker.

View the schedule of activities » 

Listen to a conversation with David Beckmann and travel writer Rick Steves about the connections between hunger in the U.S. and abroad.

"Travelers know hunger across the sea is every bit as tragic as hunger across the street," says Steves.

Did you know? One in five people in the world live on less than $1.25. Bread staffer Shawnda Hines offers some startling facts about hunger.

Also, hear music from singer-songwriter Kimberlee.

Monica Mills was named a top grassroots lobbyist by The Hill newspaper. The paper also praised Bread’s grassroots network.

According to The Hill, “an effective campaign is about more than sending emails… the trick is to combine an activated grassroots with representatives in Washington who can personally explain to members the real-world consequences of legislation.”

Monica is working to make foreign aid more effective in reducing poverty and help the President reach his goal of ending child hunger by 2015.

Each month in Field Focus we’ll bring you stories about some of the people being helped by your advocacy.

We’ll also introduce you to Christians putting their faith into action by serving hungry and poor people.

New for June 2009
• Babies by Candlelight
• Building Trust and Trade to Lessen Food Shortages

Short-term mission trips can be life-changing experiences.

Getting Ready to Come Back challenges us to see a new dimension of mission. 

It provides tools to prepare your group to be observant, inquisitive, and thoughtful about the poverty you observe on your trip.