A special thank you
By Rev. David Beckmann
Once again, I am humbled by your generosity. Before the year ended, more than 2,450 people responded to Rick Steves’ challenge to raise $250,000 for Bread for the World. With Rick’s match, together you raised more than $574,000 in support of Bread’s work to end hunger in the United States and around the world.
I want to extend a very special thank you to my dear friend Rick Steves. Rick has been a generous Bread member for over 30 years, and this was the tenth year that he has hosted a Christmas fundraiser for Bread for the World. Rick’s support and promotion of Bread’s work has raised over $2.5 million cumulatively. His continued support is an integral part of raising the necessary funds needed to sustain Bread’s work and protect critical anti-hunger programs.
But Rick’s efforts would not be worthwhile if not for you – his generous supporters, along with the Bread members who donated in response to his challenge. I want you to know your generosity matters to those struggling with hunger and poverty.
2017 was a challenging year for those who suffer from hunger, and threats to programs that protect people who are hungry show no sign of abating in 2018.
Hunger is on the rise globally for the first time in almost a decade. Right now, 20 million people are threatened by near-famine in South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, and Yemen. At a moment when our nation’s leadership is needed most, President Donald J. Trump and some in Congress are proposing drastic cuts to programs that help hunger and poor people.
Your generous support will help us push back against threats to lifesaving assistance programs.
We are prepared to be diligent, and your Christmas gifts have given us the tools needed to start the year off strong.
Thank you.
I hope you will continue to stay involved in Bread’s work in the new year. More than ever, we need your help. I invite you to talk with your member of Congress and voice your support of programs that provide a lifeline to those facing hunger at home, and around the world.
We need advocates like YOU to help us end hunger once and for all.
Rev. David Beckmann is president of Bread for the World.
Your generous support will help us push back against threats to lifesaving assistance programs.
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Bill Analysis: Raise the Wage Act (H.R.582 & S.150)
We cannot end hunger in the U.S. without raising the minimum wage.
Briefing Paper: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Nutrition. Assessing USAID's Progress.
Better nutrition is a necessary component of a country’s capacity to achieve development goals such as economic growth and improved public health.
For Faith
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $150 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $150 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.