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.
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.
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.
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:
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
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
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
- Getting Around Capitol Hill
- Guide to Visiting Your Members of Congress
- Legislative Priorities and Talking Points for Senate Visits
- Legislative Priorities and Talking Points for House Visits
- Social Media Toolkit
- Congressional Visit Report Form
- Advocacy Summit Event Evaluation
Global Nutrition Background Resources
- Fact Sheet: Why We Need $250 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
- Fact Sheet: How the U.S. Government Supports Global Nutrition
- Briefing Paper: The U.S. Contribution to Ending Global Malnutrition
- Briefing Paper: Nutrition to Bridge Humanitarian and Development Efforts
- Briefing Paper: A Multi-sectoral Approach to Nutrition
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
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Bill Analysis: Raise the Wage Act (H.R.582 & S.150)
We cannot end hunger in the U.S. without raising the minimum wage.
Briefing Paper: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Nutrition. Assessing USAID's Progress.
Better nutrition is a necessary component of a country’s capacity to achieve development goals such as economic growth and improved public health.
For Faith
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...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $150 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $150 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
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.