2026 Advocacy Summit:
Planting Hope, Feeding Futures
Bread for the World’s 2026 Advocacy Summit, Planting Hope, Feeding Futures, brought 265 advocates from across the country together in Washington, D.C., to share this unified message with our lawmakers: We believe a world without hunger is possible.
From June 9-10, advocates met with 168 congressional offices to share their stories and urge lawmakers to prioritize policies that address hunger in the United States and around the world. Along the way, they deepened their understanding of key policy issues, strengthened their advocacy skills, built meaningful connections with fellow advocates, and grounded their work in worship, faith, and a shared commitment to justice.
1. Planting Hope: Faithful Engagement Produces Results
In his keynote address, Bread for the World President and CEO Rev. Eugene Cho* reflected on the Summit’s theme, Planting Hope, Feeding Futures:
“Planting hope is an act of faith…Bread for the World’s calling is persistence planted, grounded in hope. Not just wishful thinking, not denial, but hope grounded in faith, grounded in evidence, grounded in 50 years of seeing what ordinary people can accomplish when they organize around God’s vision for justice.”
At the Summit, attendees took tangible steps to plant seeds of hope, inspired by a belief that a world without hunger is possible and that our Christian faith calls us to work toward that goal. They attended pre-Summit events like the Pan African Consultation, Latino Convening, and Next Generation gathering, participated in legislative briefings and advocacy trainings to gain practical tools to engage with members of Congress, and shared their stories with fellow advocates, inspiring and encouraging one another to continue the work of ending hunger.
2. Feeding Futures: Turning Hope into Action
Bread advocates met with 168 congressional offices to urge their representatives to protect and strengthen domestic nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC alongside international assistance programs like Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. Bread also honored Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08) and Rep. Josh Riley (D-NY-19) as its 2026 Advocacy Summit Congressional Award recipients for their commitment to addressing hunger and food insecurity. Advocates also heard from Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), a longtime champion in the work to end hunger, during the Summit’s closing reception on Capitol Hill.
3. The Work Continues: Advocacy Beyond the Summit
The seeds of hope planted during the 2026 Advocacy Summit will continue to grow long after the event has ended. Inspired by our shared commitment to end hunger, advocates across the country are carrying this work forward in their own communities. Whether you joined us in Washington, D.C., or not, we invite you to partner with Bread for the World in the following ways:
Speak up
- Register for Bread’s National Legislative Update on Thursday, August 13 from 8-9 p.m. ET. You can review our domestic legislative priorities here and our international priorities here.
- Participate in an August in-district meeting with your members of Congress.
- Host an Offering of Letters: You can make a difference by holding an Offering of Letters—an event to write letters to Congress—with your church, campus, or community group.
Pray
- Pray to End Hunger: Join us in ongoing prayer for an end to hunger at home and abroad.
Give
- Give: Every dollar you give to support our advocacy helps Bread for the World secure thousands of dollars in lifesaving assistance for families in the United States and around the world.
Photo Credit: Lacey Johnson Photography.
*At the time of the 2026 Advocacy Summit, Rev. Eugene Cho served as Bread for the World President and CEO. As of July 18, 2026, Heather Taylor will serve as Interim President and CEO of Bread for the World and Bread for the World Institute until a permanent successor is appointed. You can read the full leadership transition statement from Bread for the World here.
