In 2016, resolve to end hunger
By Robin Stephenson
On the eve of the new year, many of us are thinking about our resolution lists. Resolutions remind us of changes we want to make, but are often focused inwardly.
As Christians we are called to a relationship with others, to walk humbly and seek justice. We are called to look outward and ask what we can do to realize God’s vision for the world.
The past year at Bread, we have organized ourselves around three principles: prayer, action, and giving. These principles are mechanisms of change – change that can end hunger.
Below is a short list of hunger-ending resolutions and we invite you to add to your 2016 resolutions.
- Commit to Pray and join thousands of others in Bread’s network praying to end hunger by 2030.
- Call or write your members of Congress on each Bread action alert and encourage three more friends to join you. Include a monthly action in your church bulletin.
- Organize an Offering of Letters in your church, community, or on your campus.
- Make hunger an elections issue. Use Bread for the World resources and ensure candidates in your state are talking about hunger and poverty.
- Build relationships and partnerships with people who experience hunger or tell your own story. Volunteering or taking a mission trip are both ways to get more involved with hunger in your community and abroad.
- Become a Bread leader. Talk to your regional organizer about how you can up your involvement a notch in 2016. Check out the grassroots tool kit for tips on setting up an in-district meeting or attending a town hall.
- Start a study group in your church or community. Bread Institute’s 2016 Hunger Report: The Nourishing Effect includes a Christian Study Guide.
- Become a member and add Bread for the World to your list of charitable giving. Help power our work to end hunger in 2016 and beyond.
Ending hunger is possible, especially if we resolve to do it. May the new year bring you joy and peace – and many opportunities to pray, act, and give.
Robin Stephenson is the national lead for social media and a senior regional organizer at Bread for the World.
Photo: Volunteers at "The Table," a market-style food pantry at St. George's Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, Va. Joseph Molieri/Bread for the World.
Ending hunger is possible, especially if we resolve to do it.
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
FAQ: Hunger Crisis in Afghanistan
Afghanistan would be considered likely to have high rates of hunger because at least two of the major causes of global hunger affect it—armed conflict and fragile governmental institutions.
Global Malnutrition Fact Sheet 2021
Malnutrition is responsible for nearly half of all preventable deaths among children under 5. Every year, the world loses hundreds of thousands of young children and babies to hunger-related causes.
MEMO ON THE HIGH RETURNS OF INVESTING IN A 1,000 DAYS INFRASTRUCTURE
Bread for the World is calling on the Biden-Harris administration and Congress to build a better 1,000-Days infrastructure in the United States.
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...
Faith Leaders' Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
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.
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.