Faith-Based White House Advisors See Opportunity to End U.S. Hunger and Poverty
Washington, D.C. – It is possible to end hunger and extreme poverty in the United States by 2030, concludes a new report by the White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The group has been offering suggestions to the White House on how to address poverty during President Obama’s final year in office, and is expected to meet with the transition team of the next president.
“We need to elect a president and members of Congress who will work together to increase opportunity and reduce poverty,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World and a member of the advisory council. “Nations around the world are aiming to end hunger and extreme poverty by 2030, and the United States can do that too.”
The world as a whole has made unprecedented progress against hunger, poverty, and disease over the last several decades, and the nations of the world last year adopted global goals (the Sustainable Development Goals) focused on ending extreme poverty and hunger by 2030. These goals apply to all nations, including the U.S.
In the U. S., anti-poverty programs like tax credits for low-income workers and SNAP (also known as food stamps) cut the poverty rate in half. The Obama administration has had success with initiatives such as Promise Zones, first lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to reduce child obesity, and a program that has drastically reduced veteran homelessness. Expanded health insurance coverage has helped many struggling families.
“Economic recovery and public policy together are now finally raising wages and reducing poverty,” Beckmann said. “Three-and-a-half million Americans escaped from poverty in 2015.”
Beckmann added: “Yet census data show that the number of Americans struggling with hunger is still greater than the population of California. I’m praying that our next president and Congress will put us track toward ending hunger, and clear goals would help.”
Tools
from our Resource Library
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U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
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Bill Analysis: Raise the Wage Act (H.R.582 & S.150)
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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.
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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.
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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.