2019 Advocacy Summit

Registration is closed. Contact advocacysummit@bread.org, if you need assistance.

The Advocacy Summit is an opportunity for Bread members and activists to communicate one-on-one with their members of Congress and their staffs. When activists visit Capitol Hill in large numbers, all at the same time and around the same issue, they have a better chance of their advocacy being heard.

This page will be updated as the Advocacy Summit program is finalized, and guest speakers are confirmed.

This year's Advocacy Summit will stretch over two days, June 10 and 11, in Washington D.C.

What happens during the Advocacy Summit?

This year’s Advocacy Summit will stretch over two days — Monday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 11, 2019

There will be breakout sessions, a reception honoring Bread founder Art Simon, and a dinner and legislative briefing on Monday, June 10.

The following day, on June 11, a morning gathering and breakfast will take place ahead of Capitol Hill visits with members of Congress.

The day will end with an evening reception, including awards given out to legislators, and a worship service where participants can share with others about their day. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served at the reception.

To learn more about what happens at the Advocacy Summit, read about last year’s event here.

What will we be talking about this year?

This year's theme is "Better Nutrition, Better Tomorrow." The theme is the same as the 2019 Offering of Letters, which is focused on urging Congress to pass legislation that will accelerate progress on global nutrition.

Founder of Florida's Joshua's Heart Foundation, Joshua Williams speaks about engaging young people in advocacy during the Faith Leaders Consultation for Global Nutrition in Washington, D.C., September 25, 2018. Pho: Nina Ramadan for Bread for the World

Why should I attend?

Registration is closed. Contact advocacysummit@bread.org, if you need assistance.

The Advocacy Summit offers a unique opportunity to come together with advocates from across the country to communicate personally with members of Congress and their staff in Washington, D.C. Studies show that one-on-one-communications between constituents and their members of Congress often cause a tipping point that results in lawmakers supporting a bill.

For many participants, the Advocacy Summit is the first time they are meeting with their members of Congress or their staff in person. In-person lobbying on Capitol Hill is another dimension of advocacy—and a fascinating one for both new and veteran activists. It’s democracy in action, and often it’s awe-inspiring to actually be in the halls of power in our federal government and participating in its business.

The Advocacy Summit is for activists of all types—those who are new to in-person lobbying in our nation's capital, those who are veterans of it, as well as anyone with experience between those ends of the spectrum.

Those new to the Advocacy Summit or coming to Washington, D.C., alone can often visit congressional offices with other people from their state, which can make the process of in-person lobbying less intimidating.

St. Marks Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Photo: St. Marks Episcopal Church

When and where is the Advocacy Summit and Lobby Day?

This year's Advocacy Summit is on Monday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 11, 2019 in Washington, D.C.

Participants will gather at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 301 A Street, SE., on Monday afternoon for break-out sessions followed by a reception honoring Art Simon and a dinner program and legislative briefing. We will reconvene at St. Mark's on Tuesday morning before heading out to congressional office visits.

The closest Metro stops are Capitol South on the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines and Union Station on the Red Line.


Getting to the Advocacy Summit

The greater Washington, D.C., area is served by three airports:

The closest airport to this year's event is the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (5 miles away).

Amtrak is another transportation option, especially if you live in the Northeast. The stop would be Union Station – a mile away from this year's Advocacy Summit.


Getting Around Washington, D.C.

The Washington, D.C., area is very public transportation friendly. Visitors and locals every day utilize the Metro system (subway), buses, and D.C. Circulator. There are also various cabs you can hail right from the sidewalk and, of course, you can call an Uber, Lyft, or your preferred on-demand transit method. See our guide to getting around Capitol Hill for more information.


Event Schedule

This schedule will be updated as the Advocacy Summit program is finalized.


Sunday, June 9

Time Activity Location
Quad-Centennial Service of Lament and Hope St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
1514 15th St NW
Washington, DC


Monday, June 10

Time Activity Location
Latino Leaders Convening (Invite Only)
Pan African Consultation (Invite Only)		 2043-2044 Rayburn House Office Building
Registration Open St. Mark's Episcopal Church — Lobby
301 A Street SE
Washington, DC
Bread for the World Board Meeting St. Mark's Episcopal Church — Baxter Hall
Regional Reunions St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Rev. Arthur Simon Reception and Book Launch Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church
201 4th Street SE
Washington, DC
Dinner and Legislative Briefing St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Tuesday, June 11

Time Activity Location
Bread Membership Meeting St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Continental Breakfast St. Mark's Episcopal Church — Baxter Hall
Morning Worship St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Regional Caucusing St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Pre-arranged Lobby Visits on Capitol Hill Congressional Office Buildings
Annual Reception on Capitol Hill 2043-2044 Rayburn House Office Building
Closing Worship 2043-2044 Rayburn House Office Building
Bread activists visit the office of Sen. Richard Durbin during the 2018 Advocacy Summit and Lobby Day. Lacey Johnson for Bread for the World.

Additional Resources for Summit Participants

Advocacy Summit Webinar

Watch a recording of our 2019 Advocacy Summit Webinar and learn all you need to know before the start of the event.

This is a great webinar for first-time participants and for those who want to get a head start in preparing for visits with their members of Congress.


Advocacy Summit Key Documents


Global Nutrition Background Resources


Scheduled Capitol Hill Lobby Visits

We will gather at St. Mark's on Tuesday morning before heading out to our Hill meetings. Don't see your meeting listed here? Please contact us at advocacysummit@bread.org.

Didn't see your meeting listed? Please contact us at advocacysummit@bread.org for more information.

"Moses said to God, 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh...?'
God said, 'I will be with you...'"

Exodus 3:11-12

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