Engaging Individuals
Bread for the World urges elected leaders in Washington, D.C., to enable people in the U.S. and abroad to feed their families and move out of poverty. But our ability to bring about change for hungry people depends on the actions of people like you — citizens and residents who communicate with their elected representatives in Washington, D.C.
Members of Congress want to hear from constituents about the issues they will vote on. When you, your friends, your community, and others in your congressional district or state tell your elected officials in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that ending hunger is important and urge them to take specific actions, they will listen.
You don’t have to have any special skills or be part of a well-funded powerful lobbying group to engage in hunger-related advocacy. Bread is a powerful lobbying group — a network of people of faith and concerned individuals across the country who care about hunger. Perhaps you volunteer at a soup kitchen or contribute to a food bank. Maybe you’ve traveled to a developing country. Sharing your real-life experiences with elected officials in our federal government is powerful and can change lives. Just as important, by speaking out, you will begin to create a useful relationship with your elected leaders.
Unless you and others tell elected leaders that ending hunger is a priority, the many other issues and concerns Congress hears about will drown out the voices for hungry people.
History of Engagement
Engaging people from all walks of life in advocacy to end hunger has always been central to Bread’s mission. It has enabled us to win important victories for hungry people at home and abroad, year after year.
When Bread was founded in 1974, the “Project 500” campaign sought to recruit 500 citizen leaders across the country who would lobby their members of Congress on hunger-related issues. Ever since that first, successful campaign, which formed the backbone of Bread’s citizen advocate base, Bread has continued to support and equip current advocates and to engage and recruit the next generation of leaders.
Bread organizing staff across the country help to involve citizens and residents in the districts and states they cover. Engaging advocates is especially important in districts and states represented by key members of Congress — members of leadership and committees that oversee policy and programs that directly affect hungry people.
Jesus said ...
"you give them something to eat."Matthew 14:16
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.
Fact Sheet: Hunger and Poverty in Puerto Rico
Even before Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico, hunger and food insecurity were much more common among Puerto Ricans than among their fellow U.S. citizens in the 50 states.
Before...
Fact Sheet: Fortified for Life. How the U.S. Government Supports Global Nutrition.
Good nutrition is a critical part of ensuring that all human beings can use their bodies and minds to live an active life and reach their full potential.
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
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.
Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017
Unnecessarily long prison sentences, combined with the lack of rehabilitative programs for people in prison, exacerbate hunger, poverty, and existing inequalities.
Overly harsh mandatory minimum prison sentences have contributed to the rapid increase of our country’s prison population. The...