Here's How You Can Follow Up on Your Offering of Letters

Bread for the World sent out this update for the 2018 Offering of Letters with instructions on how to follow up on those letters you wrote. Many of you probably received this note from Christine Melendez Ashley. 

Thanks to you, thousands of letters, emails, and calls have made their way to your members of Congress — urging them to invest in ending hunger. But our work isn’t finished yet.

President Trump recently signed a spending bill extending funding for programs like WIC, international food aid, and poverty-focused development assistance, but only through Dec. 7. Congress is taking a break from Washington, D.C., until after the November midterm elections. When they return next month, they will make final decisions on spending bills funding critical anti-hunger programs through 2019.

It’s not too late to join the 2018 Offering of Letters campaign. Here’s how:

• Call (800-826-3688) or email today. Urge your members of Congress to pass spending bills that strongly invest in programs like WIC, summer meals, global nutrition, and poverty-focused development programs.
  
  

Email Congress

Schedule an Offering of Letters event with your church or group of friends. Every handwritten letter or personalized email counts.

Bread for the World Institute's 2018 Hunger Report Available Online

The incomes of all but a small percentage of families in the United States have been stagnant for a generation. Since 1980, an overwhelming share of gains from economic growth in the United States has gone to the richest households, starting at the top 1 percent of all income earners. At the other end of the income distribution, the lowest-earning households have been losing ground. Incomes are worth less today than in 1980 when adjusted for inflation.

Bread for the World Institute's 2018 Hunger Report, "The Jobs Challenge: Working to End Hunger by 2030," is available online.

This year's report explores why millions of American workers and their families are hungry and poor — and how government policies can change this.

Decent jobs that pay a livable wage enable many of us to support ourselves and our families. Far too many people in the United States, though, have jobs that do not guarantee freedom from hunger. A full-time minimum wage worker earns about $15,000 a year — but the poverty line for a family of four is about $24,000 a year. Moreover, economists calculate that meeting a family's basic needs requires an income of approximately twice the poverty level.

"The Jobs Challenge" explains clearly why the United States needs better jobs and better work-related policies to end hunger. Read and explore the report to understand more about the root causes of hunger and poverty.

Celebrating Bread's 2017 Legislative Victories

Bread for the World's newsletter for January 2018 reflects on legislative accomplishments in 2017.

This summary was put together by Chris Ford, senior manager of media relations

Despite the challenges of a new administration and new Congress, with your help Bread was able to achieve several significant legislative victories in 2017.

Offering of Letters: Doing Our Part to End Hunger

Our 2017 Offering of Letters: Doing Our Part to End Hunger was successful in securing a short-term budget through early 2018.

As Congress continues to negotiate a budget deal “for the remainder of the fiscal year,” Bread for the World is urging congressional members to include funding for programs and priorities that will end hunger That put the total funding for famine relief in 2017 at approximately $5.4 billion, which is a 20 percent increase over what Congress passed in its December 2016 continuing resolution.

Although the situation in all four countries remains dire, the additional funds have provided much-needed relief to those in need during a time of extreme crises.

 “Vital to our success were Bread's grassroots and online activists visiting, calling, and emailing their members of Congress to create a groundswell of support as Bread staff and others lobbied on the Hill,” said Ryan Quinn, a senior international policy analyst at Bread for the World. “Without their hard work, we would not have gotten the additional funds for famine relief.”

Foreign Aid: Support for Maternal & Child Nutrition Programs

Photo: USDA

The 2017 budget also kept funding levels the same as the previous year for international maternal and child nutrition programs, including the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. The budget also increased funding for global health programs and development assistance. U.S. foreign assistance comprises less than 1 percent of the U.S. budget, yet it has saved the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world and enabled countries to become more stable and self-sufficient.

Funding for WIC, Head Start, Child Care

Domestically, the 2017 budget funded anti-hunger programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and increased funding for Head Start, the Child Care and Development Block Grant, and nutrition programs for senior citizens. Programs like these are vital to low-income families and have helped keep millions of Americans out of hunger and poverty. 

The Trump administration had proposed drastic cuts to both international and domestic anti-hunger and poverty programs in the 2017 budget. Fortunately, Congress rejected these cuts. We are grateful for our congressional champions and advocates who made ending hunger a priority. 

Saving the Affordable Care Act

Finally, because of your faithful advocacy, we were victorious in our efforts to save the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Legislation proposed by both the House and the Senate would have repealed the ACA, taking away health care coverage from as many as 15 million Americans through drastic cuts to Medicaid. The bill would have also ended the ACA’s Medicaid expansion, and enacted significant structural changes to the program that could have resulted in millions more Americans losing coverage. 

While the House passed its health care bill, senators rejected efforts to repeal the law, citing the proposed cuts to Medicaid. Currently, about 74 million of the most vulnerable Americans, including older Americans, the disabled, and children, receive health care coverage through Medicaid. In fact, more than one-third of all children in the U.S. rely on Medicaid for their health care, and almost half of Medicaid recipients are children.Bread entered the debate because people without affordable health coverage must often choose between putting food on the table for their families, and paying for medicine and the health care they need. If the cuts to Medicaid had passed, millions of Americans could have fallen into hunger and poverty.

Bread members and supporters made thousands of phone calls and sent thousands of emails, shared stories at town halls, and visited dozens of congressional offices urging members of Congress to protect Medicaid from these drastic cuts. Clearly, your outreach had an impact.  

Now, for the bad news: the tax bill

While we were able to achieve significant victories this year, we did suffer a set back with the tax bill. The tax cuts passed by both chambers, which largely benefit high-income individuals and large corporations, will almost certainly lead to deep cuts in Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs that help people experiencing hunger and living in poverty.

“This tax bill is part of a one-two punch,” said David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “President Trump and congressional leaders have already announced plans to follow this tax cut, mainly for high-income people, with a big push to cut more than $2 trillion from social programs for low-and middle-income people."

The bill raises taxes on the lowest earners starting in 2021. Tax cuts for all individuals and families expire at the end of 2027, and millions earning less than $75,000 would then see a significant net increase in their taxes. The corporate tax cuts in the bill are permanent.

The tax bill also repeals the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Without the mandate, 5 million of the most vulnerable Americans could lose their Medicaid coverage.

The important victories we were able to achieve would not have been possible without your help. We expect many more challenges in the coming year, as Congress and the Trump administration look to make cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs that help people living in hunger and poverty. Your faithful advocacy will be needed more than ever.

Together, our collective Christian voice can move mountains. Thanks be to God who guided us, and will continue to guide us, in these efforts.

Urgent: Take Action to Stop the Harmful Tax Bill

We must stop this harmful bill! Tax reform should help, not hurt, people who work hard but still struggle to put food on the table. - Eric Mitchell, Director of Government Relations, Bread for the World

Early next week, Congress will vote on a tax bill that will irreparably harm the lives of millions of hardworking Americans. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would raise taxes on 10 million low- to moderate-income households over the next decade. The bill would also increase the national debt by $1 trillion, leading to cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.  (Learn more about how tax policy is a hunger issue).

Call (800-826-3688) or email your U.S. House member and Senators to tell them to vote NO on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

For New Mexicans, here are the e-mail links Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rep. Steve Pearce, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, Sen. Tom Udall, Sen. Martin Heinrich

Talking Points for Your Letter (Personalize Your Message to Congress for the most impact)
Subject Text: Oppose the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ) 

• I urge you to oppose the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 
• This bill disproportionately benefits high-income households and corporations while increasing taxes on low-income families. If passed, this fiscally irresponsible tax plan will increase our nation's debt and lead to deep cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and international assistance.  
• With 1 in 8 U.S. families struggling to put food on the table, we need a tax reform bill that benefits low-income families by strengthening tax credits for low-income workers. In addition, no tax reform bill should fund tax cuts to high-income earners by cutting funding to programs that help low-income families.  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act fails to achieve  these goals. 
• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increases taxes on individuals making less than $75,000, and also cuts funding for other programs that help low-income people.
   Tax reform should help, not hurt, low-income families. That's why I urge you to reject the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , and instead work on a bipartisan tax reform bill that helps those who need help the most.

Webinar to Review Accomplishments of Bread Grassroots Network

December is shaping up to be a busy one for Congress. Many key pieces of legislation, which have implications for hunger and poverty, remain unfinished.

Register for the Grassroots Webinar and Conference Call scheduled Tuesday at 4 p.m. EDT, 2 p.m. MDT, Dec. 19 for a 2017 year-end wrap up.

Eric Mitchell, the director of government relations at Bread for the World, will join us this month to talk about the key issues moving through Congress that affect hunger and poverty.

In this month's call, you will:

• Review a year of advocacy and
  celebrate the many accomplishments of our grassroots network.
• Hear about legislation in the House and Senate on tax policy and immigration reform and how we constituents can influence decisions.
• Learn about the status of the 2017 Offering of Letters: Doing Our Part to End Hunger and what Congress is doing about a final spending bill.

Please join Bread staff to learn how you can make a difference. Send your questions to Robin Stephenson ahead of time, rstephenson@bread.org

Bread for the World, Rick Steves & #GivingTuesday

There are many worthy organizations to support today on #GivingTuesday. I mentioned a few local worthy organizations in combination with my #SmallBusinessSaturday post a couple of days ago. Today, I want to promote the one organization that has contributed to shape my anti-hunger activism: Bread for the World. Any donations above $100 will be matched by travel host Rick Steves, a long-time supporter of Bread. Here is an appeal from Bread president David Beckmann.

For many of us, our bellies are still satisfied from our Thanksgiving feast. We've gathered with friends and family to give thanks and enjoy the pleasures of a warm meal. In most cultures, food is the hallmark of celebrations, but too many people around the world are celebrating milestones at empty tables.

Today, on Giving Tuesday, I hope you will choose to support Bread for the World's work to advocate for hungry people. Thanks to Rick Steves, travel host and incredibly generous Bread member, all donations made today will be matched, up to $250,000. As in years past, if you donate $100 or more, Rick will match it AND send you a special thank you gift.

Support Bread with a gift of $100 or more, and Rick Steves will match it and send you his European Christmas gift set:

• "Rick Steves' European Christmas" DVD
• Rick Steves' European Christmas coffee-table book and
• "Rick Steves' European Christmas" music CD featuring 20 of our favorite European carols

Or you're welcome to choose the new Rick Steves' Europe: Complete Collection 2000-2016 DVD Box Set + 10 News Shows 2017-2018 instead.

Give a gift of $200 and receive both gifts!

Donate Here

Walking the Labyrinth on Behalf of the Most Vulnerable

The Taizé song O Lord Hear My Prayer is based on the words of Psalm 102. Participants at the social justice vigil at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albuquerque on Tuesday chanted this song as they walked the labyrinth garden in prayerful meditation.

The vigil was part of the  For Such a Time as This, a campaign that urges people of faith to pray, fast and advocate on the 21st day of every month.

O Lord, hear my prayer
O Lord, hear my prayer
When I call, answer me

O Lord, hear my prayer
O Lord, hear my prayer
Come and listen to me

Photo: Bread for the World

Solidarity in Prayer
The vigil is held in different communities around the country on the 21st of the month to declare that prayer (including fasting) and advocacy are seamless, that we draw on the grace of our Creator to speak out for the most vulnerable in our society. The policies of our government on the budget, environmental protection, tax policy, health care, foreign assistance and other issues often ignore the needs of those who have the least.

The vigil at St. Paul was the first in Albuquerque since the campaign was launched in May 2017, but Karla Ice and other organizers plan to continue to sponsor the gathering of prayer and reflection locally on the 21st of the month through December 21, 2018. "We fast on the 21st of each month because the last week of the month is the hungry week in America — by the 21st, people will have used 90 percent of SNAP (formerly food stamp) benefits," said Sojourners, one of the sponsors of the campaign, along with Bread for the World, the Episcopal Church, the ELCA and many others.

Strengthening our Commitment
At the St. Paul Vigil, the labyrinth mediation was preceded with a reflection taken from the bulletin insert used by many churches in our country for Bread for the World Sunday.

Today, we join people of faith across the country in praying f or those who struggle with hunger — and in rededicating ourselves to efforts that help end hunger. Our prayerful work to end hunger is a response to the Gospel’s invitation to take part in the banquet of God’s mercy and abundance that is ours through Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:1-14). 

Our prayers and our actions are especially urgent at this time. South Sudan is suffering from a devastating famine, and famine threatens Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen. In the United States, the president and Congress are making budget decisions that could make life even harder for the one in eight Americans who struggle to get enough to eat. In response to these urgent needs, we join the many other churches involved in Bread for the World. Working together, we are helping persuade our nation’s leaders to get our country and the world on track toward the goal of ending hunger by 2030. Our faith is in Christ, who makes all things new, and we place our hope in God’s vision of a world without hunger.   Amen!

Urge Congress to Pass a Tax Reform that Helps Low-Income Families

Later this week, the House will vote on a tax reform bill that significantly helps high-income earners, but does little for low-income families. Tax reform should help, not hurt, people who work hard but still struggle to put food on the table. Call (800-826-3688) or email your Member of Congress. Tell him/her to vote NO on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1).

Bread for the World Sunday: An Invitation to Take Action

All of us know Jesus’ invitation into the reign of God. All are invited. Yet that invitation requires us to do something. It requires us to put Jesus’ words into action. -A reflection by Father James Martin, S.J., for Bread for the World Sunday (Based on Matthew 22:1-14)

Photo: Bread for the World

Jesuit Father James Martin, at-large editor for America magazine and a published author, wrote a special reflection for Bread for the World Sunday, which is on October 15.

The reflection is contained on page 2 of the Bread for the World Sunday guide. Hearing these words from a member of the Society of Jesus is very special to me because I was educated at a Jesuit university (Loyola in New Orleans) and my late brother Raul was ordained as a Jesuit priest.

Father Martin's words set the stage for Bread for the World Sunday, an opportunity for congregations throughout the U.S. to join with others across the country in living out God's vision of a world without hunger. "Our prayerful work to end hunger is a response to the Gospel’s invitation to take part in the banquet of God’s mercy and abundance th at is ours through Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:1-14)," says Bread for the World.

A celebration can be as simple as including prayers for hungry people in worship. Or a congregation may wish to devote a sermon, children's message, and other activities to ending hunger in God's world. To help congregations plan their service, Bread for the World offers several free resources.

Our prayers are especially urgent at this time. South Sudan is suffering from a devastating famine, and famine threatens Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen. Drought is s preading throughout other parts of Africa. Humanitarian assistance and long-term solutions to hunger are more important than ever. In the United States, Congress is making budget decisions that will affect t he lives of millions in our own country and abroad.

The president has proposed unprecedented budget cuts that target international and domestic programs vital to hungry people. Dismantling or cutting funding for these time-tested and life-saving programs would take us backward and make the goal of ending hunger by 2030 unlikely.

Here are some excerpts from a prayer in the Bread for the World Sunday guide.

Photo: Rene Ronquillo

We remember all the people who walk in despair, who hunger for the equal bread, and who seek justice. Let us be ins truments of your peace in this world, that we might invite o thers to take part in the banquet of mercy and abundance you prepare for us. We rai se all the petitions th at we have said and the requests of our hearts, trusting that you are with us, to t he end of the age. Lord in your goodness, Hear our Prayer. (Excerpt from responsive prayer by Rev.Alexia Salvatierra, a Lutheran pastor and co-author of Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church for Service to the World. The prayer is on page 3 of the Bread for the World Sunday guide).

Following Up on Your 2017 Offering of Letters

Letter writers at St. Timothy Lutheran Church

Are you looking for a way to follow up on the Offering of Letters you held in the spring and summer? (More than a dozen congregations in Albuquerque participated in this year's letter-writing campaign, plus local activists held in-district meetings with aides to Rep. Michelle Lujan-Grisham and Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall).

Bread for the World recommends this action as Congress returns from its summer recess: Call (800-826-3688) or email Rep.Lujan Grisham and Sen. Udall and Sen Heinrich today. Urge Congress to oppose budget cuts to critical programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), refundable tax credits, and school meals.

Our calls are also intended to preserve the recent progress our country has made in fighting hunger and poverty. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Census Bureau just released data indicating that hunger and poverty are on the decline!

"Our work is far from finished. Critical programs that help end hunger — such as the National School Lunch Program; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and refundable tax credits — are vital tools for reducing food-insecurity in the U.S.," said Bread for the World "If these programs are cut in the federal budget, the progress we've made could be undone."

The fate of many of these programs will be determined by the next Farm Bill. Many legislators around the country, including Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, held hearing sessions on this important legislation over the congressional summer recess.

Participate in Bread's Webinar
So what does all of this mean for Bread for the World's work to end hunger by 2030? Find out by participating in Bread for the World's Grassroots Webinar and Conference Call, Tuesday, September 19 at 4:00 p.m. EST, 2:00 p.m. MST. Register here  Bread regional organizers will share highlights from in-district visits discuss how we can continue our faithful advocacy throughout the year. You can submit questions ahead of time to Tyion Miller (tmiller@bread.org).

Sen. Pete Domenici and Bread for World

Wikimedia Commons

Sen. Pete Domenici passed away on Wednesday, September 13.The senator was a very influential legislator because of his role as chair or minority member of the Senate Budget Committee. While we often differed with Sen. Domenici on funding for domestic and global nutrition and anti-hunger programs, we found that the senator was very approachable and would listen to our concerns. (Because of that, many New Mexicans often referred to him as just "Senator Pete.")
 
A lot of times we communicated our concerns to him through his very competent and open-minded staff. Elizabeth Turpen was especially good on foreign affairs. There were occasional times when we succeeded in scheduling a meeting with the senator in Washington or Albuquerque to state our case about saving or enhancing programs that help poor and hungry people in our country and overseas.

However, our most memorable encounter with Sen. Domenici was an informal meeting. We were presenting an ask to a junior aide in the inner lobby Sen. Domenici's office in Washington. (The person with whom were originally scheduled to meet had an emergency, so that's why we were meeting with a junior aide).  Sen. Domenici happened to walk by, and he made a point to stop and ask about our request. It turned out to be the Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2007. He did not hesitate to sign on as a co-sponsor.

During an address to Bread advocates in Albuquerque in 1994, Bread for the World president David Beckmann  underscored the importance of Sen. Domenici to our movement.

Sen. Pete Domenici doesn't always vote with us, but he has repeatedly shown up at Bread for the World events. He makes it his business to get to these receptions.  He knows about the Bread for the World presence  in New Mexico. And we're not talking about a lot of people--I' think it's 200 members in New Mexico or something like that.

And there's a little group that meets once a month, so that they remind each other to write letters.  But even though it's just a little group, Sen. Domenici knows you're there, and because of that, he's a real leader on international child survival issues. He's a fan of the WIC program, and he came to WIC's 20th Birthday Party on Capitol Hill.  He knows that Bread for the World in New Mexico is a real presence to deal with.  

For Such a Time as This: Pray, Fast, Advocate

Three days before she was to approach the king, Esther (Esther 4) asked the Jewish people throughout the region to fast for three days in preparation for her meeting. Today, there are people around the world who are poor and hungry. And they are vulnerable to famine, to deportation, to losing access to food and health care if our elected leaders succeed in their efforts to cut vital programs.

On the 21st day of each month, faith leaders from across the United States, including the heads of many Christian denominations, give up a meal or fast and pray for the day, calling on God to help end hunger.

Although we live in challenging times, the world has made unprecedented progress against hunger and poverty since 1990. If we do our part, it is possible to end hunger by 2030. But the priorities of President Trump and Congress could reverse this trend.

Deep cuts to effective foreign assistance programs come at a time when famine is on the rise in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen and 20 million people are at risk of death. Plans to restructure Medicaid would limit access to health care for struggling families for decades to come, forcing families to choose between food and health care.

While this is an unprecedented moment, it is for such a time as this that we are called. And so, we invite you to join us in deepening your spiritual engagement through prayer and fasting as a way to strengthen and sustain advocacy efforts during the 115th Congress.

Join the movement.

• pray that our country can stay on track and do its part to end hunger by 2030. 
• develop a spiritual practice of self-deprivation, or fasting, to prepare for and strengthen advocacy efforts with Congress. 
• advocate by writing letters and emails, making phone calls, and visiting with your members of Congress.

Take The Pledge Today

You can also join us by texting FAST to 738-674. (Message and data rates may apply).
This link has  a list of resources from Bread for the World

Voters Select Bread for the World's Official 2017 Christmas Card

Nearly two out of ever three people who participated in the survey to select the design for Bread for the World's official 2017 Christmas card picked this design. The image, entitled Nurture, was created by Doug Puller. 

The inside message reads:

So the shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the child lying in the manger. 
When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child
…But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.             
-Luke 2:16-17, 19

You can Pre-Order one or more sets of cards. A pack of  cards with envelopes costs $15 (with free shipping). All proceeds are used to support the work of Bread for the World.

By the way, if you voted for one of the alternate designs (Zambian Children, Afghan Siblings, School Children), they are also available for purchase for the same price.  Pre-Order here

New Module from JustFaith Ministries to Focus on Hunger

For years, JustFaith Ministries has offered modules on immigration (Crossing Borders), returning citizens (Church of Second Chances), Christian-Muslim dialogue (The Sultan and the Saint) and other issues through its JustMatters series. The eight-week sessions are are designed to allow small groups to explore critical current issues within the context of the Gospels and the life and example of Jesus.

A JustMatters module focusing on hunger has been in the works for months, and the curriculum, entitled Hunger for Change, will finally be available in January of 2017! This module, created in partnership with Bread for the World and Catholic Relief Services, explores the realities of food insecurity in the United States and throughout the world in a prayerful process that includes study, rich dialogue, and an immersion experience. The module seeks to inspire faith- filled action to end hunger.

Here is how JustFaith is promoting the new module.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink...” – Matthew 25:35

Every day 795 million people experience hunger.

Hunger for Change: A Faithful Response to Food Insecurity is a JustFaith Ministries module, available in January 2017, that explores the realities of food insecurity in the U.S. and around the world. It is an 8-week prayerful process that includes study, dialogue, and an immersion experience. This process was created in partnership with Bread for the World and Catholic Relief Services to inspire participants to take concrete action to end hunger.

“Hunger for Change is a process that gathers people of faith together to explore the realities of hunger so that they can live and act in ways that are generous, life-giving, and Gospel-inspired. I’m encouraged by the growing, faith-vased movement to end hunger.”-Revered Ron Sider, author of Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger

Hunger for Change consists of eight 2 1/2-hour sessions. Registration fee: $175 Additional resources, $13 per participant All other materials are web-based

This module is designed to be facilitated by one or two volunteers

Participants will:

• Listen to the stories of people all over the world who struggle to feed themselves and their children.
• Encounter people who live in marginalized and under - resourced communities and learn how they respond to food insecurity.
• Explore the biblical promise of abundance to God’s people.
• Engage in spiritual practices and actions that illu- minate the realities of food insecurity, and work toward positive change to end hunger.
• Take action to reshape our lives, communities, and systems to address the root causes of hunger in our home communities and around the world. 
  

Learn More about Hunger for Change.  Download the flyer.  Register for the module. Program materials will be available January 6, 2017. The first 50 groups to register receive a $50 discount!

Changing the World 101

Image from Foodshare.org

If a college or seminary class is designated the number 101, that means you are beginning your course work with the basics. You might find Biology 101, History 101, Humanities 101 and New Testament 101 in the college or university's course catalog.

How about Changing the World 101: Ending Hunger as a Case Study for Systems Change?  This is a course that the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis will be offering in the Fall Semester of 2016. 

The course follows up on a forum that CTS and Bread for the World sponsored in Indianapolis in April of this year.

Here is a description:
Bringing real change to the world means changing its systems—and Christian Theological Seminary and Bread for the World are joining forces to present this course on changing the systems that impact hunger. The end of hunger is within our grasp! In this course we’ll explore the key skills and best practices involved in making systems change, along with the biblical and theological perspectives through which Christians can best help lead systems change in the twenty-first century.

The course can be taken for  credit or non-credit.

Those attending the non-credit option have only two class days: September 10, and September 17 (both Saturdays).

Those taking the class for credit will attend the September dates, as well as November 5, and November 12.

The facilitators for the class are Bread for the World board members Dr. Matthew Boulton and Dave Miner. Dr. Boulton, president of the CTS, is a professor of theology at the seminary. Miner, a grassroots activist in Indianapolis, served as chair of the Bread board for many years. Students will also hear from other experts who will address such topic as theology, hunger, and systems change.

Class Content

• God’s provision of abundance for all
• Root causes, prevalence and impact of hunger
• Current progress toward ending hunger
• Local, national, and international systems impacting poverty and hunger Theology of Christian advocacy
• Models and practical approaches to advocacy
• Related issues vital to ending hunger: economic opportunity, climate change, immigration, mass incarceration, etc.

Each participant will lead a hunger advocacy project with support from an experienced hunger activist.

Contacts: Mike Hastings 317-496-8028 m484@aol.com
Dave Miner 317-691-7438 dminer145@aol.com

Scholarships are available.

Rick Steves' Christmas Fundraiser Brings More than $430,000 to Bread for the World

Image from OpenClipArt

1,659 

That figure represents the number of supporters of Rick Steves who answered his challenge to help raise funds for Bread for the World during the Christmas season in 2015. The travel writer matched donations dollar for dollar.  People who donated $100 received a gift from Steves: his European Christmas gift package or his Complete Collection 2000-2016 DVD Box Set (all 100 of my travel shows)."

Steves and ex-Sen. Tom Harkin at Bread 40th anniversary (2014)

In a Thank You letter to supporters, Steves said:

"Together, you contributed $218,000. And with my match, collectively, we raised over $430,000 to help power BFTW's work in explaining to Congress the needs of our nation's poor, homeless, and hungry people.

 "We all want to get our fiscal house in order. And BFTW has been very effective in its advocacy work encouraging our government not to balance the budget by cutting vital services to our nation's most needy." 

Thanks so much for making this a very expensive Christmas for me. Giving like this, in partnership with caring travelers like you, makes my work even more gratifying than it already is. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to all.

Bread for the World Member Rick Steves Invites You to Join Him in Helping to End Hunger This Christmas

"...I'm one of thousands of Christian Americans who really see Bread for the World not as a charity but as a service. Together, we want to fight hunger, and Bread for the World represents that, and does our work right here in Washington, D.C."  excerpt from Rick Steves' address at the Bread for the World national gathering, June 2014

Rick Steves loves Bread for the World. Every Christmas season, he puts together a special appeal to raise funds for our organization. The beloved television travel host and author has an offer for you again this year.

"Here's my challenge to you," Steves says on his Travel Blog. "Make a gift of $100 or more and as a thank you, I'll match your gifts (up to $250,000) and send you my European Christmas gift package or my Complete Collection 2000-2016 DVD Box Set (all 100 of my travel shows)."

This video tells you more about the European Christmas Gift Package


If you make your gift by December 10 (that's next Thursday!),  you’ll get everything in time for Christmas. "I’ll happily pay for the cost of these gifts and postage so that Bread can use 100 percent of your donation for their work," said Steves.

Which Image Should Go on Bread for the World's 2015 Christmas Card?

 Which picture do you like best? (left to right)

a) Sleeping child in Guatemala. Photo by Joe Molieri / Bread for the World
b) Evening Mass in San Miguel Huautla, Mexico. Photo by Maisie Crow
c) Sudanese worshipers. Photo by Margie Nea for Bread for the World.

 Choose your favorite by midnight tonight August 5 to make your vote count!