Bread for the World

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Bread for the World is a non-partisan, US Christian citizens' movement devoted to encouraging public policy decisions aimed at alleviating domestic and global hunger.

Bread For the World members are organized by congressional district into local networks nationwide. They write, call and visit members of Congress, and generate media attention about national legislation and other efforts that address hunger. Bread For the World staff keep members up-to-date on hunger-related issues and pending decisions.

Every year during worship services and other events, tens of thousands of Bread For the World members and others write letters to members of Congress on legislation that is important to hungry people.

In October 1972, a small group of Catholics and Protestants met to reflect on how persons of faith could be mobilized to influence U.S. policies that address the causes of hunger. Under the leadership of the Reverend Arthur Simon, the group began to test the idea in the spring of 1974. By year's end, more than 500 people had joined the ranks of Bread for the World as citizen advocates for hungry people. This small group has grown to a nationwide movement of more than 56,000 members. In September 1991, the Reverend David Beckmann succeeded Simon as president.

Bread for the World is a founding member of The ONE Campaign--a movement to rally Americans to respond to the global emergencies of extreme poverty, hunger and AIDS.

Their site summarizes their mission as follows:

Bread for the World is a nationwide Christian citizens movement seeking justice for the world's hungry people by lobbying our nation's decision makers. BFW Institute seeks justice for hungry people by engaging in research and education on policies related to hunger and development.

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