By Rev. David Beckmann
Simply saying thank you is not enough to demonstrate how grateful I feel to have such generous and kind hearted people supporting Bread for the World’s work.
Once again, I am blown away by your generosity. Before the year ended, 2,470 people responded to Rick Steves’ challenge to raise $250,000. With Rick’s match, together you raised over $567,000 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 30 years, and in the past 9 years, he has hosted a Christmas fundraiser raising nearly $2 million. His continued support is an integral part of raising the necessary funds needed to nourish Bread’s work.
But Rick’s efforts would not be worthwhile if it was not for his generous followers and Bread members who donated. No matter whether your gift was big or small, I want you to know your generosity matters to those struggling with hunger and poverty.
With change on the horizon as president-elect Donald J. Trump takes office, Bread’s work in defending and expanding programs supporting those struggling with hunger will arguably be more difficult. We are prepared to be diligent, and your Christmas gifts have given us the tools needed to start the year off strong.
Thank you again.
Hungry people need a strong and compassionate advocate like Bread — especially when the need in our world is so great. In Ethiopia, and other parts of Africa, history is repeating itself and people are suffering from one of the worst droughts in half a century. One in five U.S. children lives in a family that struggles to get enough to eat.
The need is so clear, but unfortunately not everyone can agree on a solution, making our work more important than ever. The goal of ending hunger by 2030 is not out of reach, but the path is now more difficult.
I hope you will continue to stay involved in Bread’s work. 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 generous donors and strong advocates like YOU to help us end hunger once and for all.
Rev. David Beckmann is president of Bread for the World.
