About Bread for the World Sunday
Bread for the World Sunday is an opportunity for your church or community of faith to join with others—in thousands of churches across the country—to live out God's vision of a world without hunger. Through our prayers for an end to hunger, letters, and phone calls to our nation's leaders, and financial support to Bread of the World, your church can give bold witness to God's justice and mercy in the world.
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that in tumultuous times God always has a plan for us. That even in these uncertain times with the global pandemic and the burgeoning food crisis in the U.S. and around the globe, God offers a future with hope.
Due to the global pandemic, many faith communities are meeting online, and even those that have resumed in-person services continue to keep their online worship. As a result, this year’s Bread for the World materials will include resources for virtual services such as a video message from Rev. Eugene Cho, president of Bread for the World.
"For surely I know the plans I have for you…plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope"
— Jeremiah 29:11
How Your Church Can Celebrate
- Select a Sunday or weekend in October or November when you will celebrate Bread for the World Sunday.
- Plan which elements in your worship service will address hunger. Your celebration can be as simple as including prayers for people struggling with hunger during a worship service. Prayers for the day are an ideal opportunity to remember those affected by hunger—and our nation’s decision makers who can change the policies and conditions that allow hunger to persist. Or you may wish to devote your sermon, children's message, and other activities to ending hunger in God's world. Many churches have a “mission moment” before the offering or perhaps there can be a special announcement.
- Make sure you have the resources you’ll need. Videos, biblical reflections, and responsive prayers are available.
- As part of your Bread for the World Sunday celebration, you may want to conduct an Offering of Letters—taking time to write brief online letters to members of Congress, urging them to continue our nation’s investments in programs that provide hope and opportunity for people struggling with hunger. Writing online may be the surest way to urge Congress to address nutrition amid the global coronavirus pandemic (Word document) and reform our criminal justice system (Word document)—all critical to ending hunger and poverty in our lifetime.
Video Reflections
- Bread for the World Sunday Reflection by Rev. Eugene Cho, President of Bread for the World
- Prayer and Biblical Reflection by Rev. William H. Lamar IV
- Bread’s Advocacy Summit Reflection by Rev. Ruben Ortiz, Latino Field Coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
- Bread’s Advocacy Summit Reflection by Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Resources in English
- Opening Prayer for Bread for the World Sunday
This prayer was written by Edith Avila Olea, the policy manager for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. She is a recipient of Bread for the World’s 2019 Rev. Arthur Simon Award for Faithful Service to End Hunger. - Lament and Hope: A Pan African Devotional Guide
- Biblical Basis for Advocacy
- Daily Prayers for an End to Hunger
Resources in Spanish
- Reflexión del Domingo de Pan para el Mundo
Esta oración fue escrita por Edith Avila Olea, gerente de políticas de la Coalición de Illinois para los Derechos de los Inmigrantes y Refugiados. Recibió el Premio Rev. Arthur Simon 2019 de Pan para el Mundo por su servicio fiel para terminar el hambre. - Domingo de Pan Para El Mundo
- Nueve temas bíblicos dan forma a nuestra misión
- Finding Hope, Ending Hunger on Both Sides of the Border: A Latino Devotional
- Latino Devotional Video Reflections:
Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo, GreenFaith
Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo, GreenFaith (Spanish)
Rev. Lori Tapia, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Brenda Noriega, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
Rev. Jeanette Salguero, National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC)
Rev. Carlos L Malavé, Christian Churches Together in the USA
Additional Resources
More About Bread for the World Sunday
The strength of Bread for the World is found in our shared commitment to address the root cause of hunger: poverty, discrimination based on race and gender, unemployment, immigration, mass incarceration, and economic inequality. On Bread for the World Sunday, we recognize and give thanks for the work churches, community groups, and denominations are all doing to remove the obstacles that keep people from sharing in God's abundance. We celebrate the diversity of faith traditions across race, ethnicity, and culture that are working together to end hunger. Moved by God's love in Jesus Christ, we reach out in love to our neighbors—and we help create a better future for all.
If you have any questions or need support, please contact us at publications@bread.org or call 800-822-7323.
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
Election Resources
One of the best times to raise the issues of hunger and poverty is during election campaigns. Engage candidates in your state/district on hunger and poverty using our elections resources.Racially Equitable Responses to Hunger During COVID-19 and Beyond
By Marlysa D. Gamblin and Kathleen King
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as when a person or household does not have regular, reliable access to the foods needed for good health. Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color (BIPOC) have historically had higher...
Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Global Pandemic, Better Nutrition Protects Lives
With the coronavirus now spreading in low-resource contexts and new waves of infection expected in the coming year, better nutrition for vulnerable people is more important than ever.
For Faith
Finding Hope, Ending Hunger on Both Sides of the Border: A Bilingual Latino Devotional
Devotional writers challenge us to feel the Spirit of God within us and to hear God’s urgent call to demand justice so all can put food on the table.The Bible on Health as a Hunger Issue
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in faith.” These words from Colossians 2:6 remind us of the faith that is active in love for our neighbors.
The Bible on...
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...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to respond to changes in need, making it well suited to respond to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $200 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $200 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
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.