A PLACE AT THE TABLEBREAD FOR THE WORLD'S 2013 OFFERING OF LETTERS

“The Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples….” —Isaiah 25:6

www.bread.org/go/OL

A PLACE AT THE TABLEBread for the World’s 2013 Offering of Letters

You can help end hunger. Pray. Learn. Act.

1. Petition President Obama to set a goal and work with Congress on a plan to end hunger in the United States and abroad.2. Write letters to your representative and senators in Congress asking them to protect programs vital to hungry and poor people

and work with the president on a plan to end hunger.

Your congregation will find the petition to the president and a prepaid envelope inside this folder pocket. For a sample letter to your members of Congress, turn to page 13. Both the petition to the president and a sample letter to Congress can also be found online at www.bread.org/go/OL.

Stay Involved with Bread for the World Throughout 2013

Find more resources for your Offering of Letters at www.bread.org/go/OL.

March 1, 2013—Launch of Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters, “A Place at the Table.”

March 1, 2013—Release of feature-length documentary on hunger, A Place at the Table.

June 8-10, 2013—Bread for the World National Gathering

June 10, 2013—International Meeting on Maternal and Child Nutrition

June 11, 2013—Bread for the World Lobby Day

October 20, 2013—Bread for the World Sunday

November 2013—Launch of the 2014 Hunger Report

Millions of people in the United States and around the world face hunger every day. For those people more is at stake now than during any previous Bread for the World Offering of Letters campaign. This year we aim to prevent deep cuts in funding for programs that save lives and help people around the world overcome poverty. We also seek a bold but achievable goal—a united plan to end hunger.

Congress and the president have many issues to resolve VJKU� [GCT�� UVCTVKPI� YKVJ� QWT� PCVKQPoU� ƂUECN� CPF� DWFIGVCT[�ETKUKU�� +V�YQWNF� DG� GCU[� VQ� UC[� VJCV� PQY� KU� PQV� VJG� VKOG� VQ�claim a vision of a world without hunger. But this is precisely VJG�VKOGtYJGP�JWPIT[�CPF�RQQT�RGQRNG�CTG�OQUV�XWNPGTCDNG�

&WTKPI�DWFIGV�CPF�URGPFKPI�FGDCVGU��YG�OWUV�EQPXKPEG�Congress to protect programs vital to hungry and poor people here and around the world.

We must also persuade Congress and the president to make ending hunger a national priority and work together on a plan.

0GKVJGT� VCUM� YKNN� DG� UKORNG�� GURGEKCNN[� KH� YG� TGOCKP�rooted in today’s deep political divide. But God is at work KP� QWT�OKFUV�� RTGRCTKPI� CP� CDWPFCPV� VCDNG�YJGTG� CNN� CTG�welcome. With your voice, and those of others in your church, campus, or group, we will convince our nation’s NGCFGTU�VQ�GPUWTG�C�RNCEG�CV�VJG�VCDNG�HQT�GXGT[QPG�

You Can Help End Hunger Join Bread for the World’s 2013 O!ering of Letters 1SECTION

PETITION THE

PRESIDENT

WRITE LETTERS TO

CONGRESS

Petitioning the President6JKU�[GCT��HQT�VJG�ƂTUV�VKOG��YGoTG�CUMKPI�HCKVJHWN�CFXQECVGU�VQ�UKIP�C�RGVKVKQP�

to the president in addition to writing letters to Congress. This is a new strategy, to show the president the depth of our support for ending hunger. We need his leadership and are convinced that our collective voice can motivate him and help create the political will to enact a national plan to end hunger.

For more information on the White House Campaign, see page 8.

Writing CongressAs in past Offering of Letters campaigns, we are urging you and your

EJWTEJ�VQ�YTKVG�NGVVGTU�VQ�%QPITGUU�CDQWV�NGIKUNCVKQP�VJCV�JGNRU�JWPIT[�CPF�poor people. We provide you with a sample letter and other information to

help you encourage people to prepare letters to their representatives and senators. Our letters will push for legislation to protect key programs

and urge that Congress work with the president to end hunger.For more information on the Congressional Campaign, see page 10.

Documenting Hunger#U�VJG������1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU��p#�2NCEG�CV�VJG�6CDNG�q�NCWPEJGU�QP�/CTEJ����C�OCLQT�

FQEWOGPVCT[�QH�VJG�UCOG�PCOG�YKNN�DGIKP�UETGGPKPI�KP�VJGCVGTU��QP�K6WPGU��CPF�QP�FGOCPF��nationwide. A Place at the Table emphasizes the hunger, stress, and complications in the lives QH�#OGTKECPU�HQT�YJQO�RWVVKPI�HQQF�QP�VJG�VCDNG�KU�C�FCKN[�UVTWIING��$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�KU�C�OCLQT�CNNKCPEG�QTICPK\CVKQP�QH�VJG�ƂNOtYJKEJ�KU�RTQFWEGF�D[�2CTVKEKRCPV�/GFKC��VJG�EQO�RCP[�DGJKPF�An Inconvenient Truth and Food, Inc. /CIPQNKC�2KEVWTGU�KU�VJG�ƂNOoU�FKUVTKDWVQT��

$[�EQQTFKPCVKPI�CFXQECE[�CPF�CEVKQP�CTQWPF�VJG�ƂNO��$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�YKNN�RTQOQVG�C�PCVKQPCN�FKCNQIWG�CDQWV�JQY�VQ�DGUV�UGEWTG�VJG�NGCFGTUJKR��EQOOKVOGPV��CPF�WPKV[�VQ�GHHGEVKXGN[�GPF�JWPIGT��'ZEGTRVU�HTQO�VJG�ƂNO��CNQPI�YKVJ�QVJGT�WUGHWN�XKFGQ�resources, are on the DVD inserted in this kit.(QT�OQTG�KPHQTOCVKQP�CDQWV�VJG�TQNG�QH�VJG�ƂNO�KP�VJKU�[GCToU�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU��VWTP�VQ�RCIG����

2 3

Throughout scripture, we see God’s inten�tions for human wholeness, manifested in +UCKCJoU�FGUETKRVKQP�QH�CDWPFCPEG��p6JG�.QTF�QH� JQUVU�YKNN�OCMG� HQT� CNN� RGQRNGU� C� HGCUV����q�God’s kingdom is envisioned with ample food and drink and a place for all people at VJG�VCDNG��

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6JKU�ECNN�HQT�JWOCP�YJQNGPGUU�KU�GODQFKGF�in Jesus, who came into the world as a restorer of DQVJ�URKTKVWCN�CPF�GCTVJN[�PGGFU�CPF�CFFTGUUGF�suffering in many forms. His compassion led JKO�VQ�JGCN�CP�GRKNGRVKE�DQ[��VQ�ECUV�QWV�FGOQPU��VQ�TGUVQTG�UKIJV�VQ�VJG�DNKPF��

And Jesus fed the hungry, time and again. Stories of Jesus feeding the multitudes

appear in each of the four gospels. Matthew FGUETKDGU� ,GUWUo� EQORCUUKQP� HQT� JKU� JWPIT[�HQNNQYGTU�CPF�VJG�RNGPVKVWFG�CV�JKU�JCPFU��

*G�VQQM�VJG�UGXGP�NQCXGU�CPF�VJG�ƂUJ��CPF�CHVGT�giving thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the ETQYFU��#NN�QH� VJGO�CVG�CPF�YGTG�ƂNNGF��CPF�VJG[�VQQM�WR�VJG�DTQMGP�RKGEGU�NGHV�QXGT��UGXGP�baskets full.�/CVVJGY�����������

Early in his ministry when Jesus told the disciples to lower their nets in a place where VJG[� JCF� IKXGP� WR� ƂUJKPI�� pVJG[� ECWIJV� UQ�OCP[�ƂUJ� VJCV� VJGKT� PGVU�YGTG�DGIKPPKPI� VQ�DTGCMq� .WMG� ������ .CVGT�� CHVGT� JKU� TGUWTTGE�tion, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples KP�VJG�UCOG�YC[��D[�ƂNNKPI�VJGKT�PGVU�VQ�QXGT�ƃQYKPI�CPF�GCVKPI�YKVJ�VJGO�,QJP����������

In another manifestation after his resur�TGEVKQP�� ,GUWU� UJCTGF� HGNNQYUJKR� CV� VJG� VCDNG�with two of his disciples after walking along the road to Emmaus. It was while eating and FTKPMKPI�YKVJ�,GUWU�CHVGT�VJG�LQWTPG[�VJCV�JKU�followers recognized him. Luke writes that

the two then proclaimed his visit, saying that pJG�YCU�MPQYP�KP�VJG�DTGCMKPI�QH�VJG�DTGCFq�.WMG��������

6JG�#EVU�QH�VJG�#RQUVNGU�FGUETKDGU�JQY�VJG�early church created communion and cared HQT�VJQUG�KP�ITGCVGUV�PGGF�

All who believed were together and had all VJKPIU� KP� EQOOQP�� VJG[�YQWNF� UGNN� VJGKT� RQU-sessions and goods and distribute the proceeds VQ�CNN��CU�CP[�JCF�PGGFe�VJG[�DTQMG�DTGCF�CV�home and ate their food with glad and gen-erous hearts, praising God and having the IQQFYKNN�QH�CNN�VJG�RGQRNG��#PF�FC[�D[�FC[�VJG�.QTF� CFFGF� VQ� VJGKT� PWODGT� VJQUG�YJQ�YGTG�being saved.�#EVU���������

Even in our rapidly changing world, God’s intention for human wholeness remains. #DWPFCPEG� CPF�RTQXKUKQP� CTG� KP� QWT�OKFUV��Yet, while there is enough food in the world for everyone to eat, many of God’s people do not have access to the food they need.

So, as followers of Jesus, we can respond to JKU�EQPEGTP�HQT�pVJG�NGCUV�QH�VJGUGq�CPF�GPUWTG�VJCV� CNN� RGQRNG�JCXG� C�RNCEG� CV� VJG� VCDNGU� QH�the world. In addition to feeding our hungry PGKIJDQTU� QWTUGNXGU�� %JTKUVKCPU� OWUV� WTIG�their elected leaders to ensure that people YKNN� pJWPIGT� PQ�OQTG�� CPF� VJKTUV� PQ�OQTGq�4GXGNCVKQP��������

While there is more than enough food in the world to feed all people, millions go hungry. Now is the time to gather the political will to follow Jesus’ teaching and ensure a place at the table for the least of these.

Still from A Place at the Table, courtesy Magnolia Pictures

“On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.”

– Isaiah 25:6

God’s Abundant Table Thinking biblically about ending hunger 1SECTION

2SECTIONSECTION ONE: Understanding the 2013 Offering of Letters You Can Help End Hunger: Join Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters ................1 God’s Abundant Table: Thinking biblically about ending hunger ...........................3 A Hunger for Advocacy Jeanette Salguero: Meeting life with love ..................................................4 Derick Dailey: “The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” ......................5 A Place at the Table: Overview of the 2013 Offering of Letters .............................6 The White House Campaign: Set a goal and make a plan to end hunger .................8 The Congressional Campaign: Ensure a place at the table for hungry and poor people ...10

SECTION TWO: Conducting an Offering of Letters Petition the President ........................................................................... 12 Write to Congress ................................................................................ 13 Put Pen to Paper: How to conduct an Offering of Letters................................... 14 Activity: Ensuring everyone a place at the table ............................................ 15 Reach Out: Engage your church or campus .................................................. 16 Spread the Word: Announce your Offering of Letters ....................................... 17

SECTION THREE: Learn More Bread for the World Online: Web resources, videos, and social media tools .......... 18 Documenting Hunger: A Place at the Table reveals the persistence of hunger ......... 20 Progress on Hunger and Poverty: 2013 Hunger Report .................................... 22

A Prayer for Your Offering: Prepare a place at the table for all people...................... 24

1SECTION

3SECTION

AcknowledgmentsEditor: Eric Bond

Designer: Doug Puller

Contributors: Adlai Amor, David Beckmann, Kari Bert, Ivonne Butello, Gary Cook, LaVida Davis, Kyle Dechant, Alice

Duff, Carter Echols, Diana Garcia, David Gist, Sarah Godfrey, Matt Gross, Steve Hitchcock, Larry Hollar, Amelia Kegan,

Asma Lateef, Michele Learner, Alex Loken, Richard Lord, Christine Melendez Ashley, Vince Mezzera, Craig Moscetti, Eric

Mitchell, Todd Post, Sarah Rohrer, Robin Stephenson, Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Tammy Walhof, Kristen Y. Archer

Special thanks to: Derick Dailey, Lindsay Guetschow, Sheila Howard, Barbie Izquierdo, Kristi Jacobson, Tim King, Lesley

Kubistal, John Lohmeier, Amanda Lucidon, Magnolia Pictures, Terry Meehan, Linda Midgett, Dave Miner, Robin Miner,

Participant Media, Gabriel Salguero, Jeanette Salguero, Steve Saxon, Kevin Shaw, Lori Silverbush, Jim Stipe, Alden Stoner

Cover photo: .G[NCPKG�4QFTKSWG\�����GCVU�C�DQYN�QH�EGTGCN�YKVJ�OKNM�QP�VJG�ƃQQT�QH�JGT�JQOG� 2JQVQ�D[�.CWTC�'NK\CDGVJ�2QJN�$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�

Video producer: Laura Elizabeth Pohl

Web producers: Hans Friedhoff and Sonora Bostian

1SECTION1. Petition President Obama to set a goal and work

with Congress on a plan to end hunger in the United States and abroad.

2. Write letters to your representative and senators in Congress asking them to protect programs vital to hungry and poor people and work with the president on a plan to end hunger.

A Place at the TableBread for the World’s 2013 O!ering of Letters

4 5

,GCPGVVG� 5CNIWGTQ� KU� VJG� EQ�RCUVQT� QH� VJG�.CODoU� %JWTEJ� QP� 0GY� ;QTMoU� .QYGT� 'CUV�5KFG� YJGTG� UJG� CPF� JGT� JWUDCPF�� )CDTKGN��OKPKUVGT� VQ� C� ƃQEM� YKVJ� FKXGTUG� GFWECVKQPCN��GEQPQOKE�� CPF� NKPIWKUVKE� DCEMITQWPFU�� 6JG�Sunday service is simultaneously shared in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. But the church is united around the idea that all RGQRNG�FGUGTXG�C�RNCEG�CV�VJG�VCDNG��

“One verse that I hold dear to me is James ����� CPF� VJCV� DCUKECNN[� KU� =VJCV?� VJG� VTWG� CPF�faithful gospel is to look out for the poor, the JWPIT[��VJG�YKFQY��VJG�QTRJCP��VJG�UVTCPIGT�q�says Jeanette. “They cannot remain on the QWVUMKTVU�q

Growing up in Brooklyn, Jeanette, herself, lived in a family in which it was not always GCU[�VQ�RWV�HQQF�QP�VJG�VCDNG��*GT�HCVJGT�JCF�OQXGF�VJG�HCOKN[�VQ�0GY�;QTM�%KV[�CHVGT�C�ƂTG�destroyed the Puerto Rican sugar cane planta�tion where he had worked since he was a young DQ[�� +P�2WGTVQ�4KEQ�� ,GCPGVVGoU� HCVJGT� GCTPGF�NKVVNG�OQPG[��DWV�YCU�QHVGP�RCKF�YKVJ�HTWKVU�CPF�XGIGVCDNGU��$WV� KP�0GY�;QTM��JG� HQWPF� KV�FKH�ƂEWNV�VQ�ƂPF�UWUVGPCPEG�HQT�JKU�HCOKN[��

“The food staple was white rice and HTKGF�GIIU�q�,GCPGVVG�TGECNNU�CDQWV�JGT�OGCNU�growing up.

#U�C�UOCNN�EJKNF��,GCPGVVG�DGPGƂVGF�HTQO�VJG�Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for

9QOGP��+PHCPVU��CPF�%JKNFTGP� 9+%���YJKEJ�the federal government provides to needy families so that mothers and children have adequate nutrition from pregnancy through CIG����p5Q�+�YCU�C�9+%�DCD[��CPF�+�TGOGODGT�TGEGKXKPI�VJG�DKI�EJGGUG�DNQEMU�q�UC[U�,GCPGVVG��

“Although my father only reached the third grade, he encouraged me and pushed me and VQNF�OG�+�JCF�VQ�UVWF[�q�UJG�UC[U��p+�ITGY�WR�KP�that environment understanding that eventu�CNN[�+�YCU�IQKPI�VQ�FQ�UQOGVJKPI�VQ�JGNR�QVJGTU�q�

6JG�OQVVQ�QH�VJG�.CODoU�%JWTEJ�KU�pYJGTG�NKHG� KU� OGV� YKVJ� NQXG�q� CPF� UQ� ,GCPGVVG� CPF�)CDTKGN� UGGM�QWV� NKXGU� KP�PGGF�QH� VJGKT� NQXG��They participate in the Emergency Food Pro�ITCO��YJKEJ�NKPMU�HQQF�DCPMU�CETQUU�VJG�UVCVG�of New York. And they provide food, com�munion, and an art program to people living in an HIV/AIDS facility immediately next to the church.

But, while attending to the food emergen�cies around her, Jeanette realizes that she and JGT� EJWTEJ� ECPPQV� RQUUKDN[� HGGF� GXGT[QPG� KP�need. Advocacy is a crucial part of her min�KUVT[��#U�C�OGODGT�QH�$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF��,GC�PGVVG�QHVGP�ƂPFU�JGTUGNH�YTKVKPI�NGVVGTU��OCMKPI�calls, and visiting Capitol Hill to talk to policy OCMGTU�CDQWV�JWPIGT�CPF�RQXGTV[�

p6JG� YC[� VJCV� +� ECP� GZRNCKP� KV� DGUV� KU� KH�UQOGQPG� KU� DGKPI� VJTQYP� HTQO� C�OQWPVCKP��the church is very good at asking that indi�vidual 9JCV�KU� KV� VJCV�[QW�PGGF!�%CP�+�JGNR�[QW!�%CP� +� JGCN� [QWT� YQWPFU! However the church also needs to ask who is launching them from VJG�OQWPVCKP�q

6JG� .CODoU� %JWTEJ� UVC[U� KPXQNXGF� YKVJ�Bread for the World throughout the year and holds a Bread for the World Sunday service GXGT[�1EVQDGT�� KPENWFKPI� GFWECVKQP�� KPURKTC�VKQP��CPF�VJG�YTKVKPI�QH�NGVVGTU�VQ�OGODGTU�QH�Congress.

As she contemplates the 2013 Offering of Letters, with its added emphasis on the presi�dent and Congress working together to end hunger, Jeanette says “Budgets are moral doc�uments, and the president of the United States needs to get consensus around this issue and focus on the hungry, the stranger, the widow, CPF�QVJGT�KPFKXKFWCNU�YJQ�CTG�OCTIKPCNK\GF�q

“If someone is being thrown from a mountain, the church is very good at asking that individual, ‘What is it that you need? Can I help you? Can I heal your wounds?’ However the church also needs to ask who is launching them from the mountain.”

– Jeanette Salguero

Jeanette Salguero sings during a Bread for the World Sunday service at the Lamb’s Church

on New York’s Lower East Side, where she is co-pastor with her

husband, Gabriel.

Laura Elizabeth Pohl/Bread for the World

A Hunger for AdvocacyJeanette Salguero: Meeting life with love 1SECTION

When Derick Dailey’s grandmother passed CYC[� KP� #WIWUV� ������ JG� YCU� CUMGF� D[� JKU�HCOKN[�OGODGTU�VQ�UGPF�C�OGUUCIG�VQ�JGT�CU�she departed.

“I said her favorite verse in her ear. I whispered, 6JG�GCTVJ�KU�VJG�.QTFoU�CPF�VJG�HWNNPGUU�thereof, the world and all that dwell therein.q

Derick recalls his grandmother repeating that verse frequently while he was growing up in her home in North Little Rock, Ark., with his twin, Eric. “Whether I was sitting on the piano playing and she was singing the J[OPtQT�UJG�YQWNF�LWUV�UQOGVKOGU�LWUV�DTGCM�QWV�KP�VJCV�XGTUG�DGECWUG�UJG�DGNKGXGF�FGGRN[�KP�VJCV�q�UC[U�&GTKEM�

� p6JCV�GXGT[VJKPI�QP� VJKU�GCTVJ�DGNQPIGF�VQ�)QF�q

“She was part of the Women’s Missionary 5QEKGV[� QH� QWT� NQECN� EJWTEJ�q� UC[U� &GTKEM��“so she would start early Saturday morning cooking … and oftentimes we would get con�fused thinking the meal was for us and she would remind us, ‘no, I will cook something for you all on Sunday evening; this meal is for VJG�UKEM�CPF�UJWV�KP�oq

Derick, now a graduate student at Yale Divinity School, has seen hunger and poverty ƂTUVJCPF��p#TMCPUCU�KU�VJKU�TWTCN�EQOOWPKV[�q�he explains, “and it struggles deeply with food insecurity, with hunger, with poverty, poor education, crime, and poor infrastructure. ;QW�PCOG�KV�CPF�#TMCPUCU�KU�EQPHTQPVKPI�KV�q

As a sophomore at Westminster College KP� /KUUQWTK�� &GTKEM� CPF� JKU� HTKGPF� '[QD�researched poverty in Phillips County in southeast Arkansas, one of the poorest coun�ties in the nation. The two met with mayors CPF�EJWTEJ�NGCFGTU�VQ�VCNM�CDQWV�VJG�EQPFKVKQPU�and causes of economic devastation along the Mississippi River. Derick recalls that at one RQKPV�� '[QD�� YJQ� KU� 'VJKQRKCP�� GZENCKOGF��p9QY��VJKU�NQQMU�NKMG�TWTCN�'VJKQRKC�q�

“It never occurred to me that a place in this country, the wealthiest country in the world YQWNF�NQQM�NKMG�UQOGVJKPI�KP�TWTCN�'VJKQRKC�q�UC[U�&GTKEM��p+V�YCU�C�DKI�YCMG�WR�ECNN�HQT�OG�that the core of poverty is lack of opportunity CPF�NCEM�QH�TGUQWTEGU�q

“Listening to the stories and hearing the

EJCNNGPIGU�=QH�NQECN�NGCFGTU?�OCFG�ENGCT�VQ�OG�VJCV� JWPIGT� CPF� RQXGTV[� CTG� PQV� LWUV� UQOG�CDUVTCEV�UQEKCN�UEKGPEG�VGTOU��6JGUG�CTG�TGCNK�VKGU�HQT�RGQRNG��CPF�PQV�LWUV�TGCNKVKGU�HQT�RGQRNG�KP� 6JKTF� 9QTNF� EQWPVTKGU� DWV� TGCNKVKGU� HQT�people in my state, a state that I love— whether it’s in Phillips County or in Little Rock seeing O[�QYP�HCOKN[�UVTWIING�VQ�OCMG�GPFU�OGGV�q

Those experiences motivated Derick to get directly involved in ending hunger and pov�GTV[��*G�LQKPGF�$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�CPF�YCU�QPG�QH�$TGCFoU�ƂTUV�*WPIGT� ,WUVKEG�.GCFGTU��Following that training in advocacy, Derick founded the Westminster Poverty Initiative, YJKEJ�TWPU�C�HQQF�DCPM�CPF�HCEKNKVCVGU�FQPC�tions of clothing and household items to people in need in the community surrounding VJG�EQNNGIG��&GTKEM�CPF�'[QD�CNUQ�TCKUGF�HWPFU�CPF�QRGPGF�C�NKDTCT[�KP�'VJKQRKC��

But Derick knows that larger actions are necessary.

“I thank God for Bread for the World for having this sort of forum where people of faith can actively engage on issues of policy in a real way without feeling that they are somehow out�side the norm or they are doing something that KU�WPEJWTEJGF�QT�WPTGNKIKQWU�q�UC[U�&GTKEM��

p6JG� TGCNKV[� KU� VJCV� KP�QTFGT� VQ�DTGCM� HTGG�HTQO�VJG�DQPFCIG�=QH�RQXGTV[?�KP�VJKU�EQWPVT[�CPF�VJG�YQTNF��YG�PGGF�GNGEVGF�QHƂEKCNU�VQ�OCMG�IQQF�QP�VJGKT�YQTFU�CPF�RWV�NQXG�VJ[�PGKIJDQT�CV�VJG�EGPVGT�QH�QWT�NGIKUNCVKXG�CIGPFC�q�

Derick Dailey teaches a Bible study class at Bethel A.M.E. Church in New Haven, Conn. A seminary student at Yale University, Derick learned about sharing his bounty from his grandmother as he was growing up in Little Rock, Ark.

Laura Elizabeth Pohl/Bread for the World

“Hunger and poverty are not just some abstract social science terms. These are realities for people, and not just realities for people in Third World countries but realities for people in my state.”

– Derick Dailey

1SECTIONA Hunger for AdvocacyDerick Dailey: “The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof….”

6 7

Petition the President“My faith teaches me that poverty is a moral

KUUWG�q� UCKF� 2TGUKFGPV� $CTCEM�1DCOC� FWTKPI�JKU�ECORCKIP�HQT�TG�GNGEVKQP��+P�C�XKFGQ�UVCVG�ment to the Circle of Protection, a group of 65 national Christian leaders, the president made a commitment to poor and hungry people.

“When I hear the story of a single mom UVTWIINKPI�VQ�RWV�HQQF�QP�VJG�VCDNG�QT�C�EJKNF�DQTP�KPVQ�RQXGTV[�QT�C�FCF�YJQoU�IQPG�OQPVJU�YKVJQWV�C�RC[EJGEM��+�ECPPQV�UKV�KFN[�D[tPQV�CU�C�RGTUQP�CPF�EGTVCKPN[�PQV�CU�C�RTGUKFGPV�q�UCKF� 1DCOC� KP� JKU� UVCVGOGPV�� )QX�� /KVV�4QOPG[�CNUQ�UWDOKVVGF�C�XKFGQ�UVCVGOGPV�VQ�VJG�%KTENG�QH�2TQVGEVKQP���

6JQUG�YQTFU�JGCTVGP�OGODGTU�QH�$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�CU�YG�RTGRCTG�HQT�QWT�DQNFGUV�GHHQTV�VQ�FCVG��9G�DGNKGXG� VJCV� VJG�RTGUKFGPV�QH� VJG�United States can and should use his White House pulpit to rally the nation around ending JWPIGT�CPF�RQXGTV[��6JWU�� HQT� VJG�ƂTUV� VKOG��our central advocacy tool, the Offering of Let�ters, will petition the president—in addition to UGPFKPI�NGVVGTU�VQ�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU��

9G� CTG� CUMKPI�2TGUKFGPV�1DCOC� VQ� UGV� C�goal and work with Congress on a solid plan to end hunger. We aim to send at least 100,000 UKIPCVWTGU�VQ�2TGUKFGPV�1DCOC�WTIKPI�JKO�VQ�make this happen.

As emphasized in Bread for the World Insti�tute’s 2013 Hunger Report, worldwide hunger CPF� RQXGTV[� JCXG� FGETGCUGF� D[� PGCTN[� JCNH�UKPEG�������FWG�KP�NCTIG�OGCUWTG�VQ�GHHQTVU�D[�the community of nations to meet the Millen�nium Development Goals. This illustrates the importance of leadership, goals, and plans—EQORNGVG�YKVJ�VKOGVCDNGU�CPF�DGPEJOCTMU��

For more information about our White House Cam-paign, turn to page 8.

Write Letters to CongressYour letters are needed this year more than

ever. We must urge our congressional leaders to save a prominent place for hungry people at VJG�VCDNG�QH�QWT�PCVKQPCN�RTKQTKVKGU��+H�YG�KIPQTG�VJG� FGƂEKV�TGFWEVKQP� FGDCVGU�� YG� EQWNF� GCUKN[�lose the gains we have made over the years.

Now we are asking Congress to work with

the president on a comprehensive plan to end hunger.

As we advocate to end hunger within a generation, we remain mindful that the imme�FKCVG�PGGFU�QH�JWPIT[�RGQRNG�OWUV�DG�OGV��

Thus, we are asking Congress to ensure a RNCEG�CV�VJG�VCDNG�HQT�JWPIT[�CPF�RQQT�RGQRNG�D[�RTQVGEVKPI�RTQITCOU�XKVCN�VQ�VJGO��1WT�NGV�VGTU�YKNN�CUM�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU�VQ�HQEWU�QP�VJTGG�KUUWGU�

1. 2TQVGEVKPI� CPVK�JWPIGT� CPF� CPVK�RQXGTV[�programs like the Supplemental Nutri�tion Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly HQQF� UVCORU��� VJG� 5RGEKCN� 5WRRNGOGPVCN�Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, CPF�%JKNFTGP�9+%���CPF�RQXGTV[�HQEWUGF�FGXGNQROGPV�CUUKUVCPEG�2(&#��

2. Making permanent the current tax ETGFKVU� HQT� RQQT� HCOKNKGU�� VJG� 'CTPGF�+PEQOG�6CZ�%TGFKV�'+6%��CPF�VJG�%JKNF�6CZ�%TGFKV�%6%��

3. Raising adequate revenue to end hunger.

Our goal is to send at least 250,000 letters to Congress on these issues.

For more information about our Congressional Cam-paign, turn to page 10.

“As I interact with my constit-uents, they also educate me or alert me on the issues important to them. This is why regular contacts—be it through personal letters, visits, or phone calls—are very important between legis-lators and our constituents. I cannot legislate for them and neither can I educate them on the bigger implications of their concerns without this regular interaction.”

– Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas)

1SECTION

“As a Congressman, I truly enjoy hearing from constituents. It is valuable to hear their ideas, goals, concerns, and suggestions. Letter writing is beneficial to constituents and members of Congress alike.”

– Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.)

A Place at the Table Overview of Bread for the World’s 2013 O!ering of Letters1SECTION

A mother and her children in front of their home in Clairfield, Tenn., where the poverty rate is 37 percent.

Richard Lord

6JG� VCDNG� KU� C� RQYGTHWN� U[ODQN� QH� EQO�munity.

Whether eating meals, playing a game, QT�FKUEWUUKPI�VJG�JQWUGJQNF�DWFIGV��HCOKNKGU�TGIWNCTN[� ICVJGT� CV� VJG� VCDNG�� %QOOWPKQP�CTQWPF� C� VCDNG� GZKUVU� QWVUKFG� QH� VJG� HCOKN[�CU�YGNN��1HVGP��YJGP�RGQRNG�ƂPF� HGNNQYUJKR��WPKV[��QT�CEEQTF��KV�KU�CTQWPF�C�FKPPGT�VCDNG��C�EQHHGG�VCDNG��C�PGIQVKCVKPI�VCDNG��

,GUWU�OGV�YKVJ�JKU�FKUEKRNGU�CTQWPF�VCDNGU�to share his teachings and fellowship. He ICVJGTGF�JKU�ENQUGUV�FKUEKRNGU�VQ�VJG�VCDNG�HQT�a last supper to gather strength and provide IWKFCPEG�DGHQTG�JKU�HCVGHWN�LQWTPG[�VQ�%CNXCT[��The communion of that event is repeated in churches throughout the world each week, KPXKVKPI�CNN�VQ�LQKP�,GUWU�CV�C�UJCTGF�VCDNG��

$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�DGICP�CTQWPF�C�VCDNG�in the parish hall of a church on New York’s Lower East Side nearly 40 years ago. That small gathering took to heart Jesus’ message QH�CDWPFCPEG�CPF�UJCTKPI��GZGORNKƂGF�KP�VJG�UVQT[�QH�VJG�NQCXGU�CPF�ƂUJGU��6JG�OKUUKQP�QH�Art Simon, founder of Bread for the World,

CPF�NKMG�OKPFGF�%JTKUVKCPU�YCU�DQNF��9G�can end hunger.

In that spirit, this year’s Offering of Letters CUMU�QWT�PCVKQPCN� NGCFGTU� KP�DQVJ� VJG�GZGEW�VKXG� CPF� NGIKUNCVKXG� DTCPEJGU� VQ� VCMG� C� JCTF�NQQM�CTQWPF� VJG�ƂIWTCVKXG� VCDNG� CPF�GPUWTG�C� RNCEG� HQT� GXGT[QPGtPQV� LWUV� VJQUG� DNGUUGF�YKVJ�YGCNVJ��RQYGT��CPF�KPƃWGPEG��

+UCKCJ�TGOKPFU�WU�VJCV�)QFoU�VCDNG�KU�CDWP�dant for all people, “a feast of rich food, a HGCUV�QH�YGNN�OCVWTGF�YKPGU��QH�TKEJ�HQQF�ƂNNGF�YKVJ�OCTTQYe�q

6JCV� XKUKQP�QH�)QFoU�DQWPV[� KPHQTOU� VJG�advocacy work of Bread for the World. We know that there is more than enough food for everyone in the world. Yet 1 in 6 Americans does not always have enough to eat. Nearly 900 million people around the world struggle YKVJ�JWPIGT�QP�C�FCKN[�DCUKU�

Bread for the World asks why so many people go hungry when others have more than enough. Local churches and community RCPVTKGU�FGNKXGT�HQQF�VQ�VJG�VCDNGU�QH�QWT�OQUV�XWNPGTCDNG�PGKIJDQTU��$WV�VJQUG�GHHQTVU�EQO�DKPGF� CTG� QPN[� VJG� GSWKXCNGPV� QH� �� RGTEGPV�QH� HGFGTCN� GZRGPFKVWTGU� QP� CPVK�JWPIGT� RTQ�grams here in the United States. The federal government provides 23 times the amount of food assistance as does charity.

Write letters to your representative and senators in Congress

WRITE LETTERS TO

CONGRESS

SNAP: (formerly food stamps)

WIC: THE ACRONYMS

PFDA:

EITC:

CTC:

Protect anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs like SNAP, WIC, and PFDA. Make permanent the current tax credits for poor families (EITC and CTC).Raise adequate revenue to end hunger.

PETITION THE

PRESIDENT

Petition President Obama

8 9

2GTUKUVGPV� JWPIGT� KU� OQTCNN[� WPCEEGRVCDNG�� 9G� JCXG�GPQWIJ�HQQF�VQ�HGGF�GXGT[QPG��DWV�NCEM�VJG�GHHGEVKXG�NGCF�ership and political will to make ending hunger a top RTKQTKV[�� 'ZVTCQTFKPCT[� RTQITGUU� CICKPUV� INQDCN� RQXGTV[�JCU� DGGP�OCFG� KP� VJG� NCUV� VYQ� FGECFGU�� DWV� EQPVKPWGF�progress against hunger in the United States and around VJG�YQTNF�YKNN�DG�KORQUUKDNG�YKVJQWV�C�RTGUKFGPVKCN�EQO�mitment and congressional leadership.

More than 50 million Americans, or 16.4 percent of the population, lived at risk of hunger in 2011. Fifteen percent of American households lived in poverty and 1.46 million of those households lived on incomes of less than $2 per person, per day.

)NQDCNN[�� FGURKVG� FGENKPKPI� NGXGNU� QH� GZVTGOG�RQXGTV[�and marked progress in child survival, nearly 900 million people continue to suffer from chronic hunger and 1.5 DKNNKQP�RGQRNG�NKXG�QP�NGUU�VJCP�������C�FC[tVJG�FGƂPKVKQP�of extreme poverty.

'HHGEVKXG�UCHGV[�PGV�RTQITCOU�KP�VJG�7PKVGF�5VCVGU�CPF�XKVCN� JWOCPKVCTKCP� CUUKUVCPEG� CDTQCF� JCXG� JGNRGF� OKN�lions of people facing the stark reality of hunger. Last year, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, HQTOGTN[� HQQF� UVCORU�� JGNRGF� ����� OKNNKQP� #OGTKECPU�

RWV�HQQF�QP�VJG�VCDNG�CPF�NKHVGF�����OKNNKQP�RGQRNG�QWV�QH�poverty. International food aid programs reached more VJCP� ���OKNNKQP� QH� VJG�YQTNFoU�OQUV� XWNPGTCDNG� RGQRNG��KPENWFKPI�����OKNNKQP�EJKNFTGP��9JKNG�VJGUG�RTQITCOU�ƂNN�CP�KPETGFKDNG�PGGF��HQQF�CUUKUVCPEG�CNQPG�ECPPQV�DTKPI�CP�end to persistent and extreme hunger and poverty.

Ending Hunger AbroadAs highlighted in Bread for the World Institute’s 2013

Hunger Report, international goals, particularly the Mil�NGPPKWO�&GXGNQROGPV�)QCNU� /&)U���JCXG�DWKNV�RWDNKE�support and galvanized political leadership towards ending hunger and extreme poverty. Extreme poverty is falling in every region. The goal to halve the proportion of people who live in hunger and poverty was met in advance QH�VJG������FGCFNKPG��6JG�IQCN�EQWNF�PQV�JCXG�DGGP�OGV�YKVJQWV�C�EQPEGTVGF�INQDCN�GHHQTV�CPF�NGCFGTUJKR�HTQO�CNN�countries, including the United States, which launched VJG� VJTGG�[GCT�� �����DKNNKQP�(GGF� VJG�(WVWTG� KPKVKCVKXG� VQ�KPXGUV� KP� EQWPVT[�FTKXGP� CITKEWNVWTG� CPF� HQQF� UGEWTKV[�programs.

However, as the MDG deadline approaches, some goals YKNN�PQV�DG�OGV�CPF�HWTVJGT�RTQITGUU�YKNN�TGSWKTG�EQPVKPWGF�

Prior to his re-election, President Obama committed to protecting programs vital to hungry people, and he emphasized “build[ing] an economy that works for all of us, and leaves something better for our children.” We are petitioning the president to take concrete steps toward that vision by setting a goal and working on a plan with Congress to end hunger.

You can help end hunger by signing the O!ering of Letters petition. To see President Obama’s video statement, go to the 2013 O!ering of Letters website: www.bread.org/go/OL.

Still from President Obama’s video statement

The White House Campaign Set a goal and make a plan to end hunger1SECTION

EQOOKVOGPV� D[� CNN� EQWPVTKGU�� &KUEWU�UKQPU�JCXG� CNTGCF[�DGIWP�CDQWV�YJCV�YKNN�DG�PGGFGF�CHVGT�������6JG�7PKVGF�States must continue to demonstrate NGCFGTUJKR�D[�CEVKXGN[�RCTVKEKRCVKPI�KP�UJCRKPI�VJG�PGZV�INQDCN�FGXGNQROGPV�framework so that it is inclusive and transparent and includes a goal to end hunger and poverty in every country in the world within a generation.

Ending Hunger in the United States)NQDCN�FGXGNQROGPV�IQCNU�PGGF�PQV�QPN[�

CRRN[� VQ� FGXGNQRKPI� EQWPVTKGU�� #� VTWN[� INQDCN�goal to end hunger and poverty require efforts to do so in the United States as well. The recession has led to the highest spikes in U.S. poverty since the 1960s. The United States has one of the highest hunger and poverty rates KP�VJG�FGXGNQRGF�YQTNF��1WT�GHHGEVKXG�UCHGV[�PGV�RTQITCOU�JCXG�MGRV�VJG�PWODGT�QH�JWPIT[�RGQRNG�HTQO�KPETGCUKPI�UKPEG�������5VKNN��VJG�PWODGT�QH�RGQRNG�UVTWIINKPI�VQ�HGGF�VJGOUGNXGU�and their families is far too high in the richest nation in the world.

History proves that national goals can lead to great reductions in poverty and hunger. As highlighted in the 2013 Hunger Report, our country set national goals to end poverty in the early 20th century and again in the 1960s. These goals succeeded in reducing poverty and JWPIGT�D[�RTQXKFKPI�HTGG�UGEQPFCT[�UEJQQN�GFWECVKQP�HQT�GXGT[�EJKNF�KP�#OGTKEC�CPF�GUVCD�NKUJKPI�VJG�XKVCN�PWVTKVKQP�UCHGV[�PGV�KP�RNCEG�VQFC[��9G�JCXG�FQPG�KV�DGHQTG��YG�ECP�FQ�KV�CICKP��

Progress against hunger and poverty in the United States will require strong leaders who are willing to set a goal to end hunger. Any plan to end hunger must strengthen the safety net and include investments in human development through education and skills training that will ƂNN�LQDU�VJG�EQWPVT[�PGGFU�VQ�DQQUV�GEQPQOKE�ITQYVJ��To learn more about past success at reducing RQXGTV[�KP�VJG�7PKVGF�5VCVGU��TGCF�p2TQITGUU�QP�*WPIGT�CPF�2QXGTV[q�QP�RCIG����

Tell the President That Now Is the Time to Act#�RNCP�VQ�GPF�JWPIGT�YKNN�PQV�DG�CEJKGXGF�QXGTPKIJV��*WPIGT�OWUV�DGEQOG�C�RCTV�QH�VJG�

PCVKQPCN�FKCNQIWG�HQT�VJG�IQCN�VQ�DG�GODTCEGF�D[�MG[�UVCMGJQNFGTU�HTQO�VJG�NQECN�VQ�VJG�INQDCN�NGXGN��6JG�FQEWOGPVCT[�ƂNO��A Place at the Table, and the 2013 Hunger Report, Within Reach: Global Development Goals��CTG�TGUQWTEGU�VJCV�YG�ECP�WUG�VQ�DTKPI�CVVGPVKQP�VQ�VJG�TGCNKV[�QH�JWPIGT�and the need for solutions.

6JG�RTGUKFGPV�OWUV�NGCF�D[�UGVVKPI�VKOG�DQWPF�IQCNU�CPF�DTKPIKPI�VQIGVJGT�VJQUG�CHHGEVGF�D[�JWPIGT�CPF�RQXGTV[��GZRGTVU��CPF�RQNKE[�OCMGTU�VQ�FGXGNQR�C�EQORTGJGPUKXG�RNCP�VQ�GPF�hunger. The president must then work with Congress and international leaders to enact the plan and put our country on track to achieve an end to hunger.

1SECTION

PETITION THE

PRESIDENT

“Our federal budget should reflect our moral values as a nation. In the Bible, Jesus said that nations will be judged by how we take care of the hungry, sick, and imprisoned. As Christians we need to take these biblical imperatives into consid-eration when we examine social policy and our national budget. We need to ask our elected officials to protect the more vulnerable among us in all budget deliberation and decisions. Yes we need to exercise fiscal responsibility, and as a nation and we need to balance our budget—but we also must never forget or betray the biblical imperative that leads to our nation’s blessing.”

– The Reverend Luis Cortes Jr. President of Esperanza

10 11

9JKNG� OGODGTU� QH� $TGCF� HQT� VJG� 9QTNF� GPXKUKQP� C�country in which all people have the opportunity to live VQ�VJGKT�RQVGPVKCN��YG�MPQY�VJCV�KV�KU�QPN[�RQUUKDNG�YKVJ�C�federal commitment to programs that reduce hunger and help people move out of poverty.

(QT�VJG�RCUV�VYQ�[GCTU��%QPITGUU�JCU�DGGP�UVTWIINKPI�YKVJ�DWFIGV�FGEKUKQPU�QH�GPQTOQWU�CPF�NQPI�VGTO�EQPUG�quences. Thanks to your advocacy, Congress has reduced VJG�HGFGTCN�FGƂEKV�D[�QXGT����VTKNNKQP�YKVJQWV�UKIPKƂECPV�cuts to vital programs.

&WTKPI�VJKU�VKOG��$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�OGODGTU�JCXG�fended off some of the most extreme proposals to gut programs for hungry and poor people. But as Congress GPICIGU�KP�VJG�ƂPCN�RJCUGU�QH�FGƂEKV�TGFWEVKQP��VJG�UVCMGU�continue to rise. Having passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act on Jan. 2, 2013—a deal to prevent the nation HTQO�IQKPI�QXGT� VJG�ƂUECN�ENKHHt%QPITGUU�PQY�HCEGU� VJG�task of forming a comprehensive approach for reducing VJG�EQWPVT[oU�NQPI�VGTO�FGƂEKVU��

Proposals to slash funding for crucial programs may DGEQOG�OQTG�UGXGTG�CU�VJG�[GCT�EQPVKPWGU��1H�EQWTUG��C�strong economy is key to reducing hunger and poverty. So are effective federal initiatives like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food UVCORU��� KPVGTPCVKQPCN� RQXGTV[�HQEWUGF� FGXGNQROGPV�CUUKUVCPEG� 2(&#��� VJG� 5RGEKCN� 5WRRNGOGPVCN� 0WVTKVKQP�2TQITCO�HQT�9QOGP��+PHCPVU��CPF�%JKNFTGP�9+%���CPF�VCZ�ETGFKVU�HQT�NQY�KPEQOG�YQTMKPI�HCOKNKGU�

Ensure Adequate Funding for Programs that Help Hungry and Poor People

Protect Funding for SNAP. Evidence continues to UJQY� VJCV�QWT�PCVKQPoU�FQOGUVKE� CPF� KPVGTPCVKQPCN� CPVK�JWPIGT� CPF� CPVK�RQXGTV[� RTQITCOU� CTG� GHHGEVKXGN[� EQO�DCVKPI�JWPIGT�KP�VJG�TGEGUUKQP��VJG�YQTUV�VJKU�EQWPVT[�JCU�UGGP�UKPEG�VJG�)TGCV�&GRTGUUKQP��+P�HCEV��VJG�PWODGT�QH�hungry people in the United States has held relatively steady due to programs like SNAP.

SNAP is a cyclical program that expands and contracts CEEQTFKPI�VQ�PGGF��+V�UWRRNGOGPVU�VJG�HQQF�DWFIGVU�QH�VJG�PGGFKGUV�RGQRNG�VJTQWIJ�CP�'NGEVTQPKE�$GPGƂVU�6TCPUHGT�'$6��ECTF��YJKEJ�YQTMU�NKMG�C�FGDKV�ECTF�CPF�ECP�DG�WUGF�at grocery stores or other authorized locations. Despite SNAP’s effectiveness, Congress has proposed deep cuts VJCV� YQWNF� TGFWEG� DGPGƂVU� CPF� EWV� UVTWIINKPI� HCOKNKGU�from the program.

6JKU�[GCT��%QPITGUU�OWUV�TGPGY�VJG�HCTO�DKNN��YJKEJ�governs federal farm and food policy—including SNAP. Congress can continue, alter, or discontinue federal farm CPF�PWVTKVKQP�RTQITCOU��50#2�YKNN�NKMGN[�DG�VCTIGVGF�HQT�cuts in this process.

Protect Funding for PFDA. Representing less than ��RGTEGPV�QH�VJG�HGFGTCN�DWFIGV��RQXGTV[�HQEWUGF�FGXGNQR�OGPV�CUUKUVCPEG�UWRRQTVU�NKHG�UCXKPI�RTQITCOU�VJCV�OGGV�DCUKE�JWOCP�PGGFU��2(&#� KU�PQV�QPN[�C�FGOQPUVTCVKQP�QH�7�5��OQTCN�NGCFGTUJKR��KV�KU�CNUQ�C�EQUV�GHHGEVKXG�YC[�VQ�increase our national security.

PFDA supports health and nutrition programs to ensure children survive and have access to food—espe�EKCNN[�FWTKPI� VJG� ETKVKECN� ������FC[U�DGVYGGP�RTGIPCPE[�CPF�CIG��tGPCDNKPI�VJGO�VQ�TGCNK\G�VJGKT�RQVGPVKCN��

0KPG� OKNNKQP� EJKNFTGP� JCXG� DGGP� TGCEJGF� VJTQWIJ�Feed the Future nutrition programs since 2009. The pro�ITCOU�JCXG�CNUQ�JGNRGF�����OKNNKQP�HQQF�RTQFWEGTU�CFopt improved technologies and management practices for DGVVGT� ETQR� [KGNFU��2(&#�JCU� IQVVGP�DKRCTVKUCP� UWRRQTV from the current and previous presidents as well as from %QPITGUU��DWV�HWVWTG�HWPFKPI�KU�CV�TKUM�CU�%QPITGUU�UVTKXGU�VQ�TGFWEG�FGƂEKVU��

The Congressional Campaign Ensure a place at the table for hungry and poor people

Protect Funding for WIC. In the United States, WIC safeguards the health and potential of some our most XWNPGTCDNG�EQOOWPKV[�OGODGTU��9+%�provides monthly packages of food VJCV�UWRRN[�KORQTVCPV�PWVTKGPVU�VQ�NQY�income mothers and their infants and children under age 5. Families with KPEQOGU�WR� VQ�����RGTEGPV�QH� VJG�RQX�erty level ($42,200 for a family of four in ������ECP�RCTVKEKRCVG��9+%�UGTXGF�PGCTN[�9 million women and children in 2012.

#U�%QPITGUU�UGVU�VJG�PCVKQPCN�DWFIGV�CPF�appropriates funds for the coming year, pres�UWTG� YKNN� DWKNF� VQ� EWV� XKVCN� RTQITCOU�� NKMG�9+%�and PFDA, that are funded through yearly appro�priations. Congress has already enacted over $1 trillion KP�EWVU�VQ�PQP�FGHGPUG�CRRTQRTKCVGF�URGPFKPI�KPENWFKPI�2(&#��over the next 10 years. Further funding cuts could mean hardship and further suffering for UQOG�QH�VJG�RQQTGUV�CPF�OQUV�XWNPGTCDNG�RGQRNG�KP�VJG�7PKVGF�5VCVGU�CPF�CTQWPF�VJG�YQTNF�

Support a National Commitment to Reduce Hunger Through the Tax CodePreserve the EITC and CTC. Within the tax code, the two provisions that have the most

FKTGEV�DGPGƂV�VQ�RQQT�CPF�JWPIT[�RGQRNG�CTG�VJG�'CTPGF�+PEQOG�6CZ�%TGFKV�'+6%��CPF�VJG�%JKNF�6CZ�%TGFKV�%6%���$QVJ�CTG�TGHWPFCDNG�VCZ�ETGFKVU�VJCV�UWRRNGOGPV�VJG�YCIGU�QH�NQY�income workers. People apply for these tax credits when they complete their income tax returns.

6JKU�OGCPU�VJCV�YQTMKPI�HCOKNKGU�YJQ�CTG�VQQ�RQQT�VQ�JCXG�C�VCZ�NKCDKNKV[�UVKNN�IGV�C�TGHWPF�EJGEM��6JG�OQTG�YCIGU�RGQRNG�GCTP��VJG�OQTG�DGPGƂVU�VJGKT�HCOKNKGU�TGEGKXGtWR�VQ�C�EGTVCKP�point. The EITC and CTC lift more people out of poverty than does any other federal pro�ITCO�QVJGT�VJCP�5QEKCN�5GEWTKV[���+P�������VJGUG�ETGFKVU�JGNRGF�����OKNNKQP�NQY�KPEQOG�YQTMKPI�families avoid severe poverty.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act extended important improvements to the EITC and %6%��DWV�VJGUG�YKNN�GZRKTG�KP�ƂXG�[GCTU��6JG�'+6%�CPF�%6%�CTG�GURGEKCNN[�XWNPGTCDNG�VQ�EWVU�TKIJV�PQY�CU�%QPITGUU�UKORNKƂGU�VJG�VCZ�EQFG�CPF�EWTDU�FGFWEVKQPU��$WV�VJG�NQY�YCIG�YQTMGTU�YJQ�DGPGƂV�HTQO�VJG�'+6%�CPF�%6%�FQ�PQV�JCXG�NQDD[KUVU��$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�OGODGTU�must raise their voices to protect these credits.

Raise Revenue to Support Anti-Hunger Programs. While the American Taxpayer Relief #EV�YCU�C�IQQF�UVCTV��YG�UVKNN�PGGF�EQORTGJGPUKXG�FGƂEKV�TGFWEVKQP�VJCV�OCMGU�UOCTV�URGPFKPI�EWVU��DQQUVU�VJG�GEQPQO[��CPF�TCKUGU�UWHƂEKGPV�TGXGPWG�VQ�OCKPVCKP�RTQITCOU�VJCV�NKHV�RGQRNG�out of poverty.

Work with the PresidentIn this year’s Offering of Letters, we are also asking Congress to work with the president on

a plan to end hunger. No national initiative will succeed without leadership and cooperation HTQO�DQVJ�VJG�NGIKUNCVKXG�CPF�GZGEWVKXG�DTCPEJGU��6Q�CEJKGXG�VJG�IQCN�VQ�GPF�JWPIGT�YKVJKP�C� IGPGTCVKQP��DQVJ�%QPITGUU� CPF� VJG�RTGUKFGPV�OWUV�OGGV� CV� VJG�RNCPPKPI� VCDNG��6JKU� KU� C�DKRCTVKUCP�KUUWG�VJCV�TGSWKTGU�CNN�QH�WU�VQ�YQTM�VQIGVJGT�

1SECTION 1SECTION

WRITE LETTERS TO

CONGRESS

“Christian legislative advocacy puts an opportunity before us to steward our influence and to speak on behalf of those who are hungry in our world. If we doubt our place in the political process, we need to only recall sacred scripture and how time and time again God appeals to people to work for the common good. As Paul said, the marks of a true Christian are that we are not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 2:21)

– Dr. Jo Anne Lyon General Superintendent,

The Wesleyan Church

Participants in Bread for the World’s Lobby Day pause during their walk from the Senate side of Capitol Hill to the House side. Pictured are (left to right) Eileen Smith Le Van of Reading, Pa.; Je! McLaughlin of Spring City, Pa.; Sonja Spangler of Chesterbrook, Pa.; and Miriam Fiorentino of Wyomissing, Pa.

Jim Stipe for Bread for the World

12 13

2SECTION

Writing a letter is simple and should take only a few minutes. Follow these steps for an effective letter:

1. Write your name and address at the end of your letter and on the enve�NQRG��UQ�[QWT�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU�know you are one of the people they represent.

2. #UM� HQT� URGEKƂE� CEVKQP�� WUKPI� VJKU�UGPVGPEG�QT�[QWT�QYP�YQTFU�

+�CUM�[QW�VQ�GPUWTG�C�RNCEG�CV�VJG�VCDNG�HQT�JWPIT[�CPF�RQQT�RGQRNG�D[�RTQVGEVKPI�RTQ-grams vital to them.

3. )KXG�TGCUQPU�YJ[��5QOG�GZCORNGU�

r� 5JCTG� [QWT� RGTUQPCN� UVQT[� CDQWV�what motivated you to write. Let�ters with personal stories are the most compelling and effective.

r� /[�EJWTEJ� KU�CNTGCF[�JGNRKPI�D[�=GZCORNG?�� DWV� +� CNUQ� GZRGEV� [QW�to enact a plan to end hunger at JQOG�CPF�CDTQCF�

4. Send your letter to Congress.

Put each letter in a separate envelope and address it.

5GPF�[QWT�NGVVGTU�VQ�

Sen. __________ U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510

Rep. __________U.S. House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 20515

GENERAL SAMPLE LETTER

WRITE LETTERS TO

CONGRESSWrite to Congress Ask Congress to ensure a place at the table for hungry and poor people

PETITION THE

PRESIDENTPetition the President Tell the president to set a goal to end hunger

Issue-specific sample letters are available at www.bread.org/go/OL.

In the past, Offering of Letters campaigns have focused QP�YTKVKPI� NGVVGTU� VQ�%QPITGUU� CDQWV� NGIKUNCVKQP� VJCV� JGNRU�hungry and poor people. That is true again this year. We provide you with a general sample letter to Congress and KPHQTOCVKQP�CDQWV�VJG�KUUWGU�UQ�[QW�ECP�GPEQWTCIG�KPFKXKF�uals to prepare letters to their representative and senators in Congress. Our letters to Congress will push for legislation to protect vital programs and urge that Congress work with the president to end hunger. (QT�OQTG�KPHQTOCVKQP�CDQWV�VJKU�[GCToU�congressional campaign, see page 10.

In this digital age, it may seem anachronistic to write RGTUQPCN�NGVVGTU�VQ�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU�YJGP�KVoU�UQ�GCU[�VQ�ENKEM�QP�CPF�UGPF�C�HQTO�GOCKN�OGUUCIG��$WV�DGECWUG�KVoU�UQ�GCU[��%QPITGUU�KU�ƃQQFGF�YKVJ�GNGEVTQPKE�OGUUCIGU��4GUGCTEJ�indicates that the volume of form emails has decreased their effectiveness. But writing a personal letter or personal email OGUUCIG�VGNNU�[QWT�OGODGT�QH�%QPITGUU�VJCV�[QW�CTG�UQ�EQP�EGTPGF�CDQWV�VJG�KUUWG�VJCV�[QWoXG�VCMGP�VKOG�VQ�YTKVG�JKO�QT�JGT�CDQWV�KV��%QPITGUUKQPCN�UVCHHGTU�NQI�GCEJ�NGVVGT��VJG�PWODGT�of letters indicates how serious the issue is to the constituents.

This year—in addition to sending let�VGTU� VQ�OGODGTU� QH�%QPITGUUtYGoTG� CUMKPI�people of faith to sign a petition to President 1DCOC��1WT� IQCN� KU� VQ� UJQY� VJG�RTGUKFGPV�the depth of our support for his leadership. We feel that our collective voices can moti�vate the president and help create the polit�ical will for a plan to end hunger. For more information about our campaign for a presidential initiative to end hunger, see page 8.

;QW�ECP�ƂPF�C�RGVKVKQP�CPF�RTGRCKF�GPXG�lope in the front pocket of this kit (The peti�tion and mailing information are also avail�CDNG� QPNKPG� CV� YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�1.�. All RGVKVKQPU�YKNN�DG�RGTUQPCNN[�FGNKXGTGF�VQ�VJG�9JKVG�*QWUG�D[�$TGCF�HQT� VJG�9QTNF�UVCHH��so make sure to mail your petition in the prepaid envelope—also in the front pocket. 1WT�IQCN�KU�VQ�QDVCKP�OQTG�VJCP���������UKI�natures. Every person counts.

PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT

The 2013 Offering of Letters campaign presents special opportunities and chal�NGPIGU�DGECWUG�KV�CUMU�HCKVJHWN�CFXQECVGU�VQ�UKIP�C�RGVKVKQP�VQ�VJG�RTGUKFGPVtKP�CFFKVKQP�VQ�YTKVKPI�NGVVGTU�VQ�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU��

*QY�OKIJV�[QW�RTQOQVG�DQVJ�QH�VJQUG�VQQNUtVJG�RGVKVKQP�CPF�VJG�NGVVGTUtKP�[QWT�UGVVKPI!

r� Combine the two in the same event:�+PXKVG�GXGT[QPG�YJQ�EQOGU�VQ�[QWT�NGVVGT�YTKVKPI�VCDNG�VQ�ƂTUV�UKIP�VJG�RGVKVKQP��5KIPKPI�VJG�RGVKVKQP�UJQWNF�VCMG�LWUV�C�HGY�seconds. Then they can focus more time on writing their letters to Congress.

r� Do both on the same day, but in different places. Since the petition requires less time to sign, pass it around your church, class, committee meeting, fellowship dinner, dining hall, or other place where people gather. Explain what it means so VJCV�CU�OCP[�RGQRNG�CU�RQUUKDNG�HGGN�EQOHQTVCDNG�UKIPKPI��6JGP��KP�C�RNCEG�YJGTG�people can sit down and look at sample letters and other resources, ask people to YTKVG�NGVVGTU��$G�ECTGHWN�VQ�GZRNCKP�YJ[�DQVJ�YKNN�JGNR�RGTUWCFG�QWT�PCVKQPoU�FGEK�sion makers to end hunger.

r� Use the petition to engage people for whom a letter is a challenge. Some RGQRNG�OC[�ƂPF�KV�FKHƂEWNV�VQ�YTKVG�C�RGTUQPCN�NGVVGT�RGTJCRU�DGECWUG�QH�CIG�QT�RJ[UKECN�EJCNNGPIG��DWV�YQWNF�DG�INCF�VQ�JGNR�KP�UQOG�QVJGT�YC[��5KIPKPI�VJG�RGVK�VKQP�QHHGTU�QPG�QRRQTVWPKV[�HQT�VJCV��4GOGODGT�VJCV�KPFKXKFWCN�JCPFYTKVVGP�NGV�VGTU�CTG�UVKNN�VJG�OQUV�GHHGEVKXG�EQTTGURQPFGPEG�VQ�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU�UQ�FQPoV�encourage anyone who can write a letter to only sign the petition.

Send your thoughts on conducting this year’s Offering of Letters to 1.����"DTGCF�org��CPF�YGoNN�RQUV�UQOG�QH�VJQUG�KFGCU�QP�QWT�YGDUKVG��#NUQ�TGCF�p2WV�2GP�VQ�2CRGTq�QP�RCIG����

Combining Petition and Letters

Laura Elizabeth Pohl/Bread for the World

14 15

As you plan your Offering of Letters, know that you are JGNRKPI� OKNNKQPU� QH� JWPIT[� CPF� RQQT� RGQRNG� YQTNFYKFG� D[�CFXQECVKPI�HQT� NQPI�VGTO�EJCPIG� KP�QWT�PCVKQPCN�RQNKE[��6JKU�year’s Offering of Letters includes a petition to the president as YGNN�CU�NGVVGTU�VQ�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU��5GG�p%QODKPKPI�2GVKVKQP�CPF�.GVVGTUq�QP�RCIG����HQT�KFGCU�QP�JQY�VQ�JCPFNG�VJG�EQODKPGF�HQEWU�

Here are ten easy steps for conducting a successful Offering of Letters.

1. Gather Resources

Order eduECVKQPCN�RWDNKECVKQPU�HTQO�$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�and secure the right equipment to show the Offering of Let�VGTU�&8&�QT�UVTGCO�XKFGQU�HTQO�VJG�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�YGD�UKVG��YYY�DTGad.org/go/OL.

2. Organize an Offering of Letters Team

Ask people in your congregation, on your campus, or in other groups to participate on your team. When you talk to EQPEGTPGF� RGQRNG�� DG� RTGRCTGF� VQ� FKUVTKDWVG� EQRKGU� QH� VJG�p#EV�0QY�q�ƃKGT�KP�VJG�DCEM�RQEMGV�QH�VJKU�MKV�QT�QVJGT�RTKPVGF�materials that explain the focus of the offering.

3. Develop a Plan

Decide on a date, time, and location for your Offering of Let�VGTU��)KXG�[QWTUGNH�CFGSWCVG�VKOG�VQ�RWDNKEK\G�VJG�GXGPV��YKVJ�C�VKOGNKPG�QH�VCUMU�VQ�EQORNGVG�DGHQTG�VJG�VCTIGV�FCVG��4GOGODGT�VQ�EQPƂTO�URGCMGTU�CPF�OCMG�JWPIGT�TGNCVGF�OCVGTKCNU�CXCKN�CDNG�VQ�RGQRNG�YJQ�ECP�JGNR�TCKUG�CYCTGPGUU��%JGEM�VJG�YGDUKVG�or call your organizer for the latest sample letter.

4. Advertise the Event

Ask the leaders of your church, campus group, or other organization to include hunger issues as a sermon topic or presentation near the target date. Display posters around your church, facility, or campus. Write articles for your campus newspaper or church newsletter. Include an CPPQWPEGOGPV�CDQWV�VJG�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�KP�VJG�YGGMN[�DWNNGVKP��GOCKN�PGYUNGVVGT��QT�QVJGT�RWDNKECVKQP��5GG�p5RTGCF�VJG�9QTFq�QP�RCIG����

5. Prepare the Venue

Letter writing can occur wherever people gather. Prepare VJG�TQQO�QT�UCPEVWCT[��+H�WUKPI�VCDNGU��OCMG�UWTG�VJGTG�CTG�UWHƂEKGPV�EJCKTU�VQ�CEEQOOQFCVG�YTKVGTU��5GG�VJCV�GCEJ�VCDNG�is supplied with a petition, sample letters, pens, stationery, GPXGNQRGU��CPF�VJG�PCOGU�QH�CRRTQRTKCVG�OGODGTU�QH�%QP�gress. At a meal line, or similar venue where people won’t UVQR�VQ�UKV�FQYP��RTGRCTG�UGXGTCN�ENKR�DQCTFU�VJCV�RGQRNG�ECP�use to write quick letters and sign the petition. For a worship UGTXKEG�QT�EQPEGTV��FKUVTKDWVG�VJG�OCVGTKCNU�CJGCF�QH�VKOG�KP�the pews or the auditorium, or include them as packets in the DWNNGVKP�QT�Rrogram.

6. Conduct the Offering of Letters

Find a few people to sit down and write whenever the VCDNG� KU� GORV[�� +H� RGQRNG� UGG� QVJGTU� RCTVKEKRCVKPI�� VJG[� CTG�more likely to participate as well. Assign someone to take RJQVQITCRJU�VQ�UJCTG�NCVGT�QP�(CEGDQQM�QT�GNUGYJGTG�

*CXG� [QWT� VGCO� OGODGTU� CEV� CU� UJGRJGTFU�� IWKFKPI�RGQRNG� IGPVN[� VQ� VJG� VCDNGU�� CPUYGTKPI�SWGU�tions, and helping people who are physically challenged to participate. Encourage partici�pants to write letters with the group. Taking materials home generally produces fewer letters since people tend to forget or always intend to do it later.

)CVJGT� VJG� EQORNGVGF� NGVVGTU� KP� DCUMGVU�or piles. At churches, place the letters in the offering plate and pray for their success. This action teaches everyone in church that persistent advocacy is an integral part of stewardship.

7. Count, Stamp, and Mail the Letters9TKVG�FQYP�VJG�PWODGT�QH�NGVVGTU�YTKVVGP�VQ�GCEJ�OGODGT�

QH� %QPITGUU�� #HƂZ� RTQRGT� RQUVCIG� VQ� GCEJ� NGVVGT� CPF�OCKN�GCEJ�UGRCTCVGN[� VQ� VJG�CRRTQRTKCVG�CFFTGUU��6JGP�EGNGDTCVG�YKVJ�[QWT�VGCO�OGODGTU��'XGT[�NGVVGT�YTKVVGP�KU�C�VTKWORJ�CPF�YKNN�KPƃWGPEG�NGIKUNCVKQP��4GOGODGT�VQ�VJCPM�[QWT�QTIC�nization’s leaders, staff, and those who wrote letters.

8. Send Your Petition to Bread for the World and Provide FeedbackThis step is extremely important. Bread for the World will

DG�FGNKXGTKPI�CNN�RGVKVKQPU�VQ�VJG�9JKVG�*QWUG��9G�PGGF�CU�OCP[�UKIPCVWTGU�CU�RQUUKDNG�VQ�GHHGEV�EJCPIG��7UG�VJG�RTGRCKF�response envelope in the front pocket of this kit to send us your petition. If you do not have the envelope, send the peti�tions to Bread for the World Offering of Letters, 425 3rd St. SW, Suite 1200, Washington DC 20024.

Also please include the feedback form and participant sign-in sheet�KP�VJG�DCEM�RQEMGV�QH�VJG�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�MKV�CPF�CV�YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�1.��

9. Stay ConnectedFollow the progress of the Offering of Letters campaign

VJTQWIJ�$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNFoU�YGDUKVG�CPF�VJTQWIJ�EQPVCEV�

with your regional organizer. Relay this information to team OGODGTU�CU�C�YC[�QH�UVC[KPI�GPICIGF��7RFCVG�[QWT�EJWTEJ�or campus as the campaign progresses. (QT�UWIIGUVKQP�QP�UVC[KPI�KPXQNXGF��TGCF�p$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�1PNKPGq�QP�RCIG����

10. Take the Next Steps

(QNNQY�WR�[QWT�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�D[�UEJGFWNKPI�CP�KP�person meeting or a phone call with your representative or senators. Your organizer can provide you with an agenda and guidance on the process.

%QPUKFGT� VWTPKPI� [QWT� UJQTV�VGTO� 1HHGTKPI� QH� .GVVGTU�VGCO�KPVQ�CP�QPIQKPI�VGCO�QT�HQTO�C�PGY�QPG��HQEWUGF�QP�

1. continued advocacy actions throughout the year, 2. educating yourselves and others in your community,3. outreach to other people at your church or campus,

and 4. engaging media with letters to the editor and posts

on social media platforms.

-GGR�[QWT�QTICPK\GT�KPHQTOGF�CDQWV�[QWT�CEVKQPU�CPF�RNCPU��;QW� ECP� ƂPF� [QWT� QTICPK\GToU� EQPVCEV� KPHQTOCVKQP� KP� VJG�DCEM�RQEMGV�QH�VJKU�MKV��

2SECTION 2SECTIONPut Pen to Paper How to conduct an O!ering of Letters

Each year, Bread for the World members write thousands of letters to members of Congress, advocating for policies that help end hunger in the United States and around the world. Laura Elizabeth Pohl/Bread for the World

Ask: “How many people have a place at the table? If only those people sitting at the table have access to food, what happens to everyone else in the room?”

Ask: “How many people have a place at the table now?”

Ask: “Now how many people have a place at the table?”

Activity: Ensuring everyone a place at the table

16 17

Pulpit AnnouncementSince the announcement is part of the worship service, it

UJQWNF�TGƃGEV�VJG�GZRGTKGPEG�QH�YQTUJKRtGPEQWTCIKPI�HCKVJ�CPF�WPFGTUVCPFKPI�QH�)QFoU�OGUUCIG��&QPoV�LWUV�VGNN�VJG�EQP�gregation the details of the Offering of Letters. Tell them why this is important, grounding your words in your own experi�GPEG�QH�HCKVJ��7NVKOCVGN[��[QW�DGUV�MPQY�[QWT�HCKVJ�EQOOW�PKV[�CPF�YJCV�URGCMU�VQ�VJGKT�JGCTVU��DWV�JGTG�CTG�UQOG�KFGCU�VJCV�ECP�JGNR�[QW�FGXGNQR�[QWT�CPPQWPEGOGPV��

r�Tell a personal story�QT�GZRNCKP�YJ[�CFXQECVKPI�QP�DGJCNH�QH�RQQT�CPF�JWPIT[�RGQRNG�KU�C�XCNWCDNG�RCTV�QH�[QWT�HCKVJ�walk.

r�Connect the Offering of Letters to the day’s sermon, TGKVGTCVKPI�CP[�RQKPVU�OCFG�D[�VJG�RCUVQT�QT�URGCMGT�CDQWV�helping hungry and poor people.

r�Present a skit with your ministry team encouraging con�gregants to live out their faith through advocacy.

r�Show one of the short Offering of Letters videos that URGCMU� VQ� [QW�� HQNNQYGF� D[� CP� CPPQWPEGOGPV� QH� YJGTG�CPF�YJGP�VJG�1HHGTKPI�YKNN�VCMG�RNCEG��YJ[�[QWoNN�DG�RCT�ticipating, and how people can see the entire A Place at the Table�ƂNO��

r�Compare current facts on hunger and poverty to God’s vision VQ� JGNR� EQPITGICPVU� TG�GPXKUKQP� VJG�YQTNF��4GEKVG�a few facts from the Hunger and Poverty Facts sheet in VJG�HTQPV�RQEMGV�QH�VJKU�MKV�CPF�VCNM�CDQWV�JQY�VJQUG�HCEVU�would change in a world in which everyone has a place at VJG�VCDNG�

r�Visit the 2013 Offering of Letters website for more inspi�TCVKQP�CPF�HCEVU��YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�1.�

Sample Wording for a Pulpit Announcement

[Relate personal experience or facts about hunger]

9JCV� YQWNF� KV� VCMG� VQ� TGCNK\G� )QFoU� XKUKQP� HQT� C� YQTNF� KP�YJKEJ� GXGT[QPG�JCU�C�RNCEG�CV� VJG� VCDNG!�9G�JCXG� VJG� TGUQWTEGU�now to feed all people, but we need the political will to make KV� JCRRGP��1WT� RTGUKFGPV� CPF�%QPITGUU� EQWNF� ETCHV� RQNKEKGU� VJCV�GUVCDNKUJ� RCVJYC[U� QWV� QH� RQXGTV[� UQ� VJCV� CNN� RGQRNG� ECP�ƂPF� C�RNCEG�CV�VJG�VCDNG��6JKU�KU�)QFoU�XKUKQP��$WV�NGCFGTUJKR�OWUV�EQOG�HTQO�)QFoU�RGQRNG��[QW�CPF�OG��

6JCV� KU� YJ[� +� CO� CUMKPI� [QW� VQ� LQKP� OG� KP� $TGCF� HQT� VJG�9QTNFoU�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�QP�FCVG�VKOG�RNCEG�� VQ�YTKVG� NGVVGTU�VQ�[QWT�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU�CUMKPI�VJGO�VQ�OCMG�C�RNCEG�CV�VJG�VCDNG�HQT�JWPIT[�RGQRNG��+�CO�CNUQ�CUMKPI�[QW�VQ�UKIP�C�RGVKVKQP�VQ�

the president urging him to set a goal and work with Congress to GPF�JWPIGT�KP�VJG�7PKVGF�5VCVGU�CPF�CDTQCF��

)QFoU�RGQRNG�CTG�ECNNGF�VQ�ETGCVG�C�RNCEG�CV�VJG�VCDNG�HQT�GXGT[QPG�

Bulletin Announcement or Newsletter Submission $WNNGVKP�CPPQWPEGOGPVU�UJQWNF�DG�UJQTV�CPF�KPENWFG�ENGCT�

KPHQTOCVKQP�CDQWV�VJG�RWTRQUG�QH�VJG�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�CU�YGNN�CU�VJG�VKOG�CPF�VJG�RNCEG��(QT�C�PGYUNGVVGT�UWDOKUUKQP��look for a way to make the issue of hunger real and personal, using one of the ideas mentioned in the pulpit announce�OGPV�UGEVKQP�CDQXG�QT�C�UVQT[�HTQO�VJG�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�YGD�RCIG�

Sample Text for a Bulletin Announcement

A Place at the Tablep#�2NCEG�CV�VJG�6CDNG�q�$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNFoU������1HHGTKPI�

QH�.GVVGTU��CKOU�VQ�TGCNK\G�C�YQTNF�KP�YJKEJ�CNN�QH�)QFoU�EJKNFTGP�CTG�HGF��1WT�IQCN�KU�VQ�ETGCVG�RQNKVKECN�YKNN�D[�YTKVKPI�QWT�RQNKE[�OCMGTU��WTIKPI�VJGO�VQ�ETGCVG�RCVJYC[U�QWV�QH�JWPIGT�CPF�RQXGTV[��,QKP�VJG�=EQOOKVVGG�QT�ITQWR?�VJKU�=FCVG��VKOG�RNCEG?�CU�YG�VWTP�QWT�HCKVJ�KPVQ�CEVKQP�D[�YTKVKPI�NGVVGTU�VQ�QWT�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU�and signing a petition to the president. For more information on VJKU�[GCToU�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�IQ�VQ�YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�1.�

Social MediaMany churches reach new audiences and keep their con�

ITGICVKQP� KPHQTOGF�QH� WREQOKPI� GXGPVU� VJTQWIJ�(CEGDQQM�QT�6YKVVGT��&QGU�[QWT�EJWTEJ�QT�RCUVQT�JCXG�C�DNQI�QP�YJKEJ�VQ� CPPQWPEG� CP�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU!�%QPUKFGT�RQUVKPI�RKE�VWTGU�CHVGT�VJG�GXGPV�CPF�YTKVKPI�CDQWV�YJCV�[QW�JCXG�CEEQO�plished.

Sample Facebook Post

Join us [date] as we put our faith into action. We will be con-FWEVKPI� C�$TGCF� HQT� VJG�9QTNF�1HHGTKPI� QH� .GVVGTU�� CUMKPI� QWT�president and members of Congress to enact a plan to end hunger. 9G�YKNN� DGIKP�YKVJ�CP�CFWNV� HQTWO�QP�JWPIGT�CV� =VKOG�RNCEG?��HQNNQYGF�D[�NGVVGT�YTKVKPI�CPF�C�DNGUUKPI�QH�VJG�NGVVGTU�DGHQTG�YG�send them to Washington, D.C.

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Sample Tweet

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Spread the Word Announce your O!ering of Letters2SECTION 2SECTION

Ways to Engage Your Churchr�Motivate church councils� D[� QTICPK\KPI�

an Offering of Letters and promoting Bread for the World at meetings of your HCKVJ�VTCFKVKQPoU�U[PQF��FKQEGUG��RTGUD[VGT[��or general conference.

r�Gather a study group to read Bread for the World Institute’s 2013 Hunger Report, Within Reach: Global Development Goals and study IWKFG��5GG�YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�JWPIGTTGRQTV�

r�Connect with your church’s mission activities� D[� GPICIKPI� XQNWPVGGTU� CPF�recipients at your church’s food pantry or shelter. If your church has mission relation�UJKRU� KP� VJG�7PKVGF�5VCVGU�QT�CDTQCF��EQP�sider connecting with them as well. Gather their stories to inform your congregation CDQWV� JQY� 7�5�� PWVTKVKQP� RTQITCOU�� VCZ�credits, foreign assistance, and interna�tional food aid affect their lives.

r�Organize your congregation to become a Bread Covenant Church. Strengthen your church’s hunger ministry through a Covenant Church relationship with Bread HQT�VJG�9QTNF��YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�EQXGPCPV��When you commit to integrating hunger concerns into the life of your congregation,

Bread for the World provides tools to help [QWT�EJWTEJ�NGCTP�OQTG�CDQWV�JWPIGT��RTC[�for hungry people, and advocate to end hunger.

r�Celebrate Bread for the World Sunday, an annual opportunity for your church or campus to renew its commitment to over�EQOKPI� JWPIGT�� 1P� 1EVQDGT� ���� ������ QT�another Sunday this fall, worshippers will NKHV� VJGKT� XQKEGU� QP� DGJCNH� QH� JWPIT[� CPF�RQQT�RGQRNG��8KUKV�YYY�DTGCF�QTI�UWPFC[�HQT�more details.

r�Subscribe to Bread for the Preacher, a HTGG�OQPVJN[� GOCKN�OGUUCIG� HQT�DWU[�RCU�VQTU��'CEJ�GFKVKQP�HGCVWTGU�NGEVKQPCT[�DCUGF�preaching aids and worship resources that address issues of hunger and poverty. Sign WR�CV�YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�RTGCEJGT�

Ways to Engage Your Campusr�Raise awareness. Contact your organizer

for ways to turn the 2013 Offering of Let�ters campaign into educational activities and actions that focus on the root causes of hunger and poverty. Consider writing let�VGTU� VQ�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU�FWTKPI�[QWT�campus’ hunger awareness month or at the end of a hunger fast. End a service event YKVJ�CP�CFXQECE[�CEVKQP��8KUKV�YYY�DTGCF�org/go/OL for more ideas.

r�Invite a speaker. A Bread for the World organizer or local activist can come to your ECORWU� VQ� URGCM�CDQWV� VJG������1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�QT�CDQWV�UQNWVKQPU�VQ�JWPIGT�CPF�poverty. For larger audiences or for addi�tional speaker ideas, contact your Bread for the World organizer. Your organizer’s EQPVCEV�KPHQTOCVKQP�KU�NQECVGF�KP�VJG�DCEM�RQEMGV�QH�VJKU�MKV��QT�QPNKPG�CV�YYY�DTGCF�org/go/OL.

r�Use social media.�)GV�VJG�YQTF�QWV�CDQWV�Bread for the World’s work to end hunger in the United States and around the world. p.KMGq� WU� QP� (CEGDQQM� HCEGDQQM�EQO�DTGCFHQTVJGYQTNF�� QT� HQNNQY�WU� QP�6YKVVGT�VYKVVGT�EQO�DTGCF�VJGYQTNF��� Encourage QVJGTU�VQ�EJGEM�QWV�QWT�DNQI�CV�YYY�DTGCF�QTI�DNQI�� 5JCTG� CFXQECE[� KFGCU� CPF� VGNN�others what you’re doing!

“Children on every continent, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are the most vulner-able to poverty and hunger. All societal institutions (religious, government, corporate) need to pull their weight to protect children, and resist calls to cut back on their commitment and compassion. Now is the time to advance, not retreat, in the fight against poverty and diseases that impact children.”

– Bishop Charles E. Blake Presiding Bishop,

Church of God in Christ

Congregants at Templo Calvario, an Assembly of God

church in Santa Ana, Calif., write letters to their members of Congress after a Bread for

the World Sunday service.

Laura Elizabeth Pohl/Bread for the World

Reach Out Engage your church or campus

18 19

The 2013 Hunger ReportAs you advocate for stronger leadership from the president and Congress

VQYCTF�GPFKPI�JWPIGT��DG�UWTG�VQ�TGCF�$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�+PUVKVWVGoU������Hunger Report, Within Reach: Global Development Goals. The report calls for a TGPGYGF�RWUJ�VQ�OGGV�VJG�/KNNGPPKWO�&GXGNQROGPV�)QCNU�/&)U��D[������and set a new goal to end hunger entirely in the near future. The MDGs form C�RNCPtCITGGF�VQ�D[�OQUV�EQWPVTKGU�CPF�CNN�VJG�NGCFKPI�FGXGNQROGPV�KPUVKVW�tions—to meet the needs of the world’s poorest people. The international EQOOWPKV[�JCU�OCFG�UWDUVCPVKCN�RTQITGUU�VQYCTF�C�JWPIGT�HTGG�YQTNF�UKPEG�setting those goals in 2000.

;QWT�ITQWR�OC[�DG�GURGEKCNN[�KPVGTGUVGF�KP�VJG�TGRQTVoU�UKZ�UGUUKQP�%JTKU�tian study guide, which invites participants to consider how they might take action in response to the issues discussed in this report. Each session KPENWFGU�C�DKDNKECN�TGƃGEVKQP��FKUEWUUKQP�SWGUVKQPU��C�UWOOCT[�QH�C�*WPIGT�Report theme, and suggested activities. Find the 2013 Hunger Report and UVWF[�IWKFG�CV�YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�JWPIGT�����

WITHIN REACH GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS2013 HUNGER REPORT

3SECTION 3SECTION

$TGCF� HQT� VJG� 9QTNFoU� YGDUKVG��email, and social media tools will help you respond quickly to Congress throughout the year. The Offering of .GVVGTU� YGDUKVG� YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�OL�� EQPVCKPU� VJG� NCVGUV� HCEV� UJGGVU��sample letters to Congress, statistics, CPF�UVCVWU�WRFCVGU��;QW�YKNN�CNUQ�ƂPF�multimedia stories of real people YJQ�YKNN� DG�JWTV� D[� EWVU� VQ�JWPIGT�relief programs. You can also use VJGUG�TGUQWTEGU�VQ�UVC[�CDTGCUV�QH�VJG�NCVGUV�FGXGNQROGPVU�

r� Email and Action Alerts. Bread’s action alerts are critical tools for DWKNFKPI� RQNKVKECN� YKNN� KP� 9CUJ�ington, D.C. When hundreds of EQPUVKVWGPVU�LQKP�VJGKT�XQKEGU�QP�CP�KUUWG��VJG[�ECP�QHVGP�KPƃWGPEG�VJG�outcome of votes in Congress. To sign up for action alerts, visit www.DTGCF�QTI� CPF� ƂNN� QWV� VJG� GOCKN�UKIP�WR�HQTO�

r� National Call. Register for this monthly discussion of current

legislative priorities and actions with Bread for the World staff and activists. The call also gives updates on Offering of Letters campaigns. To participate, visit YYY�DTGCF�QTI�GXGPVU� CPF� UKIP�WR�HQT�VJG�ITCUUTQQVU�YGDKPCT�CPF�conference call.

r� Bread Organizers. Stay updated on developments and resources D[� MGGRKPI� KP� VQWEJ� YKVJ� $TGCF�organizers. Find contact informa�VKQP�HQT�[QWT�QTICPK\GT�KP�VJG�DCEM�RQEMGV�QH�VJKU�MKV�QT�CV�YYY�DTGCF�org/contact.

r� Bread Blog.� (QNNQY� FC[�VQ�day updates, stories, and other 1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�TGUQWTEGU�|�'CEJ�Wednesday while Congress is in session, we will post an update of YJCVoU�JCRRGPKPI�QP�%CRKVQN�*KNN�|�

r� Social Media.�7UG�DQVJ�(CEGDQQM�CPF�6YKVVGT�VQ�RWDNKEN[�VGNN�OGO�DGTU� QH� %QPITGUU� VJCV� GXGT[QPG�

FGUGTXGU� �CRNCEGCVVJGVCDNG� �����1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�JCUJVCI��

�� p.KMGq� QWT� Facebook page CPF�LQKP�VJG�EQPXGTUCVKQP�HCEG�DQQM�EQO�DTGCFHQTVJGYQTNF���

� Follow us on Twitter and share news and information with your own networks (twitter.EQO�DTGCF�VJGYQTNF��|�

r� RSS Feed. Make sure you get the NCVGUV� WRFCVGU� D[� UWDUETKDKPI� VQ�Bread for the World’s RSS feed YYY�DTGCF�QTI�TUU���

r� Photos and videos: Videos for this year’s Offering of Letters are avail�CDNG�QP�VJG�&8&�KP�VJG�HTQPV�RQEMGV�of this kit and at YYY�DTGCF�QTI�go/OL. 5GG� PGZV� RCIG� If you need additional pictures or videos for your presentation, you can down�load or link to them at Bread’s (NKEMT�RCIG�YYY�ƃKEMT�EQO�DTGCF�HQTVJGYQTNF��CPF�$TGCFoU�;QW6WDG�channel (YYY�[QWVWDG�EQO�DTGCF�fortheworld���

If you don’t have easy access to the Internet, please contact your regional organizer and ask him or her to WRFCVG�[QW�D[�RJQPG�QT�OCKN�CU�KPHQT�OCVKQP�DGEQOGU�CXCKNCDNG��

6JG�DGUV�TGUQWTEG�HQT�VJKU�1HHGTKPI�of Letters campaign is your passion and commitment to the issue. Share resources and inspire others, since it takes an organized and vocal grass�roots to change the political will in Congress.

The Bread for the World website provides updates and connections to help you follow the issues and be an e!ective advocate all year.

Bread for the World Online Web resources, videos, and social media tools

“Malnutrition Is Everywhere” is a Bread for the World video produced for the 2013 O!ering of Letters. The

video illustrates the benefits of poverty-focused development assistance. In this picture, Tilkumari

Rizal (left) and Sharmila Chaudhari (right) feed their underweight children Ritik, 8 months (left), and Sanjana, 19 months (right), at the Nutrition

Rehabilitation Home in Dhangadhi, Nepal.

Laura Elizabeth Pohl/Bread for the World

Bread for the World VideosThe DVD included in the front pocket of this kit consists of several videos and movie clips to help explain how Bread for

VJG�9QTNF�KPƃWGPEGU�QWT�GNGEVGF�NGCFGTU��CU�YGNN�CU�UVQTKGU�QH�RGQRNG�VQWEJGF�D[�JWPIGT�CPF�RQXGTV[��6JQUG�XKFGQU�CTG�CNUQ�CXCKNCDNG�QP�VJG�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�YGDUKVG��CNQPI�YKVJ�QVJGT�XKFGQ�TGUQWTEGU�VQ�JGNR�[QW�GORJCUK\G�VJG�EQORGNNKPI�PGGF�HQT�IQXGTPOGPV�RQNKEKGU�VQ�GPF�JWPIGT��.KPMU�VQ�VJGUG�TGUQWTEGU�ECP�DG�UGPV�VQ�GOCKN�NKUVU��HGNNQY�EQPITGICPVU��QT�HTKGPFU�KP�preparation for an Offering of Letters.

8KFGQU� ECP� CNUQ� DG� RTGUGPVGF� VQ� C� EQP�gregation or campus group during worship, in a class, during an event, or while letters CTG�DGKPI�YTKVVGP��;QW�ECP�RNC[�VJG�&8&�QT�stream the videos from the Offering of Let�VGTU�YGDUKVG��$QVJ�VJG�&8&�CPF�VJG�YGDUKVG�include a document with tips for presenting videos with your Offering of Letters.

20 21

Hunger at Home

I literally have nothing left. What do I give them?

*QY�KU�KV�RQUUKDNG�VJCV�RGQRNG�KP�VJKU�country continue to go hungry, despite QWT�CDWPFCPEG�QH�HQQF!

A Place at the Table�� C� PGY� G[G�opening documentary, answers that question through the lives of three RGQRNG�� $CTDKG�� C� [QWPI� 2JKNCFGNRJKC�OQVJGT�� ƂIJVU� VQ� OCMG� GPFU� OGGV�CPF�DTGCM�VJG�E[ENG�QH�RQXGTV[��4QUKG��CP� KOCIKPCVKXG� ƂHVJ�ITCFGT�� VTKGU� VQ�distract her mind from hunger pangs as she learns and grows in rural Colorado. And Tremonica, a sunny /KUUKUUKRRK� UGEQPF�ITCFGT�� UVTWIINGU�YKVJ� JGCNVJ� RTQDNGOU� ECWUGF� D[� VJG�poor nutritional value of the food that her mother can afford. Their stories reveal the depth of the hunger crisis in America and the factors that drive it.

6JG� ƂNO� CNUQ� UJQYU� VJCV� YG� JCXG�made progress against hunger in the

past—and that we can do it again. 9JGP�ƂNO�FKTGEVQTU�-TKUVK�,CEQDUQP�

CPF�.QTK�5KNXGTDWUJ�CRRTQCEJGF�$TGCF�HQT� VJG� 9QTNF� DQCTF� OGODGT� 6GTT[�Meehan, seeking support for A Place at the Table��YG�SWKEMN[�FGEKFGF�VQ�DGEQOG�C�RCTVPGT�QP�VJG�RTQLGEV��9G�JQRG�VJCV�VJG�ƂNO�YKNN�JCXG�CU�ITGCV�CP�GHHGEV�QP�RWDNKE� QRKPKQP� CPF� RQNKE[� CU� FKF� VJG������%$5�URGEKCN��Hunger in America.

After watching Hunger in America, many shocked viewers called their OGODGTU� QH� %QPITGUU�� FGOCPFKPI�VJCV� UQOGVJKPI�DG�FQPG�� +P�TGURQPUG��%QPITGUU� RCUUGF� DKRCTVKUCP� NCYU�creating and funding the federal pro�ITCOU�VJCV�CNN�DWV�GTCFKECVGF�FQOGUVKE�JWPIGT�D[�VJG�GPF�QH�VJG�����U��

“It was really inspirational to us that C�RKGEG�QH�ƂNOOCMKPI�DCEM�KP������YCU�CDNG�VQ�JCXG�UWEJ�C�RTQPQWPEGF�GHHGEV�

A Place at the Table is a major documentary about hunger in the United States. The film, produced by Participant Media, distributed by Magnolia Pictures, makes the connection between eliminating hunger and advocating for public policies and programs that ensure a place at the table for all people.

See the movie and be moved to action.

A companion book to the film, also entitled A Place at the Table, o!ers additional insight from those on the front lines of solving hunger in America. Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, is one of the featured writers. Discounts are available for bulk purchases; contact Lindsay.Fradko!@Publica!airsbooks.com.

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It all came together when Partici�RCPV�/GFKC�ECOG�QP�DQCTF�VQ�ƂPCPEG�VJG� ƂNO�� HQNNQYGF� D[� /CIPQNKC� 2KE�VWTGU�CU�VJG�FKUVTKDWVQT�

“How do we take an issue that is so shocking—with 1 out of 4 children food insecure—and raise awareness CPF�OCMG�RGQRNG� VCMG�CEVKQP!q�CUMGF�Diane Weyermann of Participant Media. “In the America I live in, JWPIGT�KU�PQV�CEEGRVCDNG�q

We are pleased that the launch of A Place at the Table coincides with Bread for the World’s 2013 Offering of Let�ters. Together, they magnify our focus on ending hunger through changes KP� RWDNKE� RQNKE[�� 1WT� CUUQEKCVKQP�with Participant Media does not end

YJGP�VJG�ƂNO�JKVU�VJGCVGTU�CETQUU�VJG�country. We are also partners on the social action campaign accompanying VJG�ƂNO�

Through A Place at the Table’s social action campaign (www.takepart.com/VCDNG��� $TGCF� OGODGTU� JCXG� OQTG�CXGPWGU� HQT� CEVKQPtCV� DQVJ� VJG� NQECN�and the national level. Bread for the World and Participant Media will reg�ularly ask our advocates to take action VJTQWIJQWV�VJKU�LQKPV�ECORCKIP�

“Jesus tells us to give them something to eat�� CPF� VJG� ƂNO� UJQYU� VJCV� QWT�EJWTEJGU� FQ� C� IQQF� LQD� QH� RTQXKFKPI�food through food pantries and soup MKVEJGPU�q� UCKF� $TGCF� HQT� VJG� 9QTNF�President David Beckmann. “It also UJQYU� VJCV� VJKU�YKNN�PGXGT�DG�GPQWIJ��We need to demand that our govern�OGPV�IGV�UGTKQWU�CDQWV�GPFKPI�JWPIGT�q

Still from A Place at the Table, courtesy Magnolia Pictures

Hunger in the Classroom

oh great.

Still from A Place at the Table, courtesy Magnolia Pictures

3SECTION 3SECTIONDocumenting Hunger A new movie, A Place at the Table, reveals the persistence of hunger in America

Use A Place at the Table to Enhance Your Offering of Letters

A Place at the Table KU�CP�GZEGNNGPV�TGUQWTEG�HQT�KP�FGRVJ�GZCOKPCVKQP�QH�VJG�TQQVU�QH�JWPIGT��6JG�UVQTKGU�KP�VJG�ƂNO�IKXG�NKHG�VQ�VJG�KUUWGU�HQT�YJKEJ�YG�CTG�CFXQECVKPI�in Bread for the World’s 2013 Offering of Letters.

We recommend that your congregation see the movie as a group, even though you ECP�CNUQ�XKGY�VJG�OQXKG�VJTQWIJ�K6WPGU��#OC\QP��CPF�QVJGT�XKFGQ�QP�FGOCPF�UGTXKEGU��(QT�TGIWNCT�WRFCVGU�CDQWV�VJG�ƂNO�CPF�OQXKGoU�PCVKQPCN�CEVKQPU��VGZV�(11&�VQ�������

r� 'PEQWTCIG�[QWT�[QWVJ�ITQWR��$KDNG�UVWF[�ITQWR��QT�QVJGT�ITQWR�VQ�UGG�A Place at the Table together when it opens in your town. For group ticket purchases, RNGCUG�EQPVCEV�,CEMKG�2CRKGT�CV��������������QT�LCEMKGRCRKGT"JQVOCKN�EQO��

r� Book an entire showing of A Place at the Table, and use the occasion to raise OQPG[�HQT�NQECN�HQQF�EJCTKVKGU��EJWTEJ�RTQLGEVU��QT�$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF��#ICKP��EQPVCEV�,CEMKG�2CRKGT�CV���������������LCEMKGRCRKGT"JQVOCKN�EQO��

r� Organize a panel discussion to follow a viewing of A Place at the Table. If you YCPV�VQ�WUG�VJG�VJGCVGT�HQT�VJG�FKUEWUUKQP��[QW�OC[�PGGF�VQ�RWTEJCUG�VYQ�DCEM�VQ�DCEM�UJQYKPIU��#UM�NQECN�HQQF�DCPM�FKTGEVQTU��CPVK�JWPIGT�CEVKXKUVU��CPF�RCU�VQTU�VQ�URGCM��'PF�VJG�GXGPV�D[�CUMKPI�VJG�CWFKGPEG�VQ�YTKVG�VJGKT�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU�CPF�VQ�VCMG�VJG�EWTTGPV�CEVKQP�KP�VJG�OQXKGoU�PCVKQPCN�CEVKQP�FCVCDCUG�YYY�VCMGRCTV�EQO�VCDNG��QT�CV�$TGCFoU�UKVG�YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�1.��

r� #V�EJWTEJ��QTICPK\G�C�QPG�JQWT�$KDNG�UVWF[�QT�5WPFC[�UEJQQN�UGUUKQP�WUKPI�VJG�special study guide we have developed to accompany A Place at the Table. You can FQYPNQCF�VJG�UVWF[�IWKFG��p0Q�2NCEG�CV�VJG�6CDNGq�CV�YYY�DTGCF�QTI�IQ�1.�

r� If you need Bread’s help in organizing these events or have other ideas for using A Place at the Table in your advocacy, please contact a Bread organizer. A trailer and clips from the movie are included in the DVD accompanying this kit.

“On June 20, 1782, the Continental Congress adopted the bald eagle as our official national symbol—and for good reason. Eagles have especially keen vision; eagles have the ability to use the storms (chal-lenges) to lift them to great heights; and eagles are known to be protective of their young. As we work to provide a place at the table for all people, we should remind the president and Congress to soar like eagles.”

– Dr. Stephen J. Thurston President, National Baptist

Convention of America

LBJ Library photo by Cecil Stoughton

3SECTION 3SECTIONProgress on Hunger and Poverty Excerpt from Bread for the World Institute’s 2013 Hunger Report

0

20

40

60

47%in 1990

24%in 2008

11.3 percent to 15.0 percent

16.2 percent to 21.9 percent

35 percent

Globally, the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 a day 165 million

“In this time of economic hardship, it is imperative that federal programs that protect poor and hungry people are strengthened, not stanched. Scripture teaches us that God’s judgment rested upon the people of Israel when they turned to other gods and forgot the widows, orphans, and poor in their communities. Today these same groups of people, in communities across the nation and around the world, need our assistance and support. God forbid our nation’s heart becomes so cold and callous that we close our eyes to the most vulnerable.”

– Marcus Cosby Pastor,

Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church

22 23

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Poverty Bill (also known as the Economic Opportunity Act) while press and supporters of the bill look on.

poor people. 6JKU�OCMGU�UGPUG�DGECWUG�OQUV�QH�VJG�YQTNFoU�RQQT�people live in rural areas and earn their living from agricul�ture. 5KPEG�VJG�/&)U�YGTG�CFQRVGF��DQVJ�FGXGNQRKPI�EQWPVT[�governments and aid donors have increased their investments KP� CITKEWNVWTG� CPF� TWTCN� FGXGNQROGPVtDWV� PQV� UQQP� GPQWIJ�CPF�PQV�D[�GPQWIJ� VQ�CEEGNGTCVG� NCTIGT�TGFWEVKQPU� KP�JWPIGT��In order to sync reductions in hunger with reductions in pov�erty, greater investments in agriculture are necessary and must target smallholder farmers. In 2009, the United States launched CP�CODKVKQWU�PGY�RTQITCO��(GGF�VJG�(WVWTG��OCMKPI�WR�HQT�KVU�longstanding neglect of agricultural development assistance.

All U.S. development assistance should make a pri�ority of linking prog�

ress against poverty

with reducing hunger and achieving the MDGs. Recent history with the War on Poverty and the MDGs

shows us that we can end hunger if we set a goal and enact a plan. Domestically, we need to set this goal. Internation�CNN[��YG�PGGF�VQ�OCKPVCKP�CPF�KPETGCUG�HWPFKPI�HQT�RQXGTV[�focused development programs.

Achieving these goals will require your hard work, the commitment of other people of faith, the White House, and QWT�OGODGTU�QH�%QPITGUU�

$TGCF�HQT�VJG�9QTNF�+PUVKVWVGoU������*WPIGT�4GRQTV��Within 4GCEJ�� )NQDCN� &GXGNQROGPV� )QCNU, provides a wealth of background on the state of world hunger and hope for a hunger-free HWVWTG��;QW�ECP�ƂPF�C�NKPM�VQ�VJG�*WPIGT�4GRQTV�QP�VJG�1HHGTKPI�QH�.GVVGTU�YGDUKVG�QT�CV�YYY�JWPIGTTGRQTV�QTI������

In 1964, as the Vietnam War in South�east Asia was escalating, President Lyndon Johnson launched a domestic War on Poverty. +V�YCU�VJG�ƂTUV�CPF�QPN[�VKOG�VJCV�VJG�7PKVGF�States set a goal to end poverty. It was fought YKVJ� UGXGTCN� PGYN[� GUVCDNKUJGF� CPVK�RQXGTV[�programs, such as Head Start, Medicaid, and Medicare. Improvements were also made to existing programs like Social Security, food stamps, and child nutrition programs.

6JG� ƂTUV� FGECFG� QH� VJG� KPKVKCVKXG� VQQM�place during a period of rapid economic growth. But as the economy sputtered in the ����U��CPF�VJGP�UCPM�KPVQ�C�FGGR�TGEGUUKQP�KP�VJG�GCTN[�����U��HWPFKPI�HQT�UQEKCN�RTQITCOU�was cut, and the progress achieved during VJG�ƂTUV�FGECFG�QH�VJG�9CT�QP�2QXGTV[�ECOG�to a halt.

'EQPQOKE�ITQYVJ�KU�PGEGUUCT[��DWV�PQV�UWH�ƂEKGPV�VQ�GPF�RQXGTV[�CPF�JWPIGT��1XGTCNN��the U.S. economy has continued growing UKPEG� VJG� ����U�� DWV� VJG� TGYCTFU� QH� VJKU�ITQYVJ�JCXG�PQV�DGGP�GSWCNN[�UJCTGF��'XGT[�[GCT��OKNNKQPU� QH�#OGTKECPUtKPENWFKPI� ����million children—live on only $2 a day or less, as reported in the most recent Census. #NN�OC[�PQV�DG�UVCTXKPI��KP�NCTIG�RCTV�VJCPMU�VQ�HGFGTCN�PWVTKVKQP�RTQITCOU��DWV�VJG[�CTG�hungry and malnourished.

The recent recession only worsened the JWPIGT�RTQDNGO�KP�VJG�7PKVGF�5VCVGU��(QTVW�PCVGN[��VJG�RTQITCOU�WUGF�D[�VJG�IQXGTPOGPV�VQ�ƂIJV�VJG�����U�9CT�QP�2QXGTV[�RTQXGF�VJCV�they can still work today—provided they are well funded. What is lacking now is a goal that galvanizes the White House, Congress, and faith communities to end hunger.

In the developing world, goals have served

us well in reducing hunger. The 2000s were a decade of extraordinary progress against INQDCN� RQXGTV[��/QTG�RGQRNG� KP�FGXGNQRKPI�countries escaped poverty during the 2000s than any other decade in history. More importantly, progress occurred in every OCLQT�TGIKQP�QH�VJG�YQTNF��+V�OC[�PQV�DG�RQU�UKDNG�VQ�GUVCDNKUJ�C�FKTGEV�ECWUCN�NKPM��DWV�KV�KU�no coincidence that this progress coincided YKVJ�INQDCN�GHHQTVU�VQ�TGCEJ�VJG�/KNNGPPKWO�&GXGNQROGPV�)QCNU�/&)U��

5KPEG� ������ VJG� /&)U� JCXG� DGGP� VJG�FQOKPCPV� INQDCN� FGXGNQROGPV� HTCOGYQTM��CPF� VJG[� JCXG� ICNXCPK\GF� RWDNKE� UWRRQTV�around the world for ending hunger and extreme poverty. When the MDGs were launched in the year 2000, leaders from every country in the world pledged their UWRRQTV��(GY�EQWNF�JCXG�MPQYP�JQY�KPƃW�GPVKCN�VJGUG�IQCNU�YQWNF�DGEQOG�

What progress has the MDGs helped FGNKXGT!�5KPEG�������VJG�DCUGNKPG�[GCT�HQT�OGC�suring progress towards the MDGs, at least ���RGTEGPV�QH�CNN�RCTVKEKRCVKPI�EQWPVTKGU�JCXG�made progress in reducing poverty, hunger, and maternal/child mortality and in pro�XKFKPI�ENGCP�FTKPMKPI�YCVGT��0GCTN[�VYQ�VJKTFU�of countries have made progress in gender GSWCNKV[� D[� KORTQXKPI� IKTNUo� GPTQNNOGPV� KP�primary school. Between 1999 and 2005, the PWODGT�QH�EJKNFTGP�F[KPI�QH�OGCUNGU�HGNN�D[����percent—from more than 500,000 deaths each [GCT�VQ�CDQWV��������� Overall, child mortality JCU�FGETGCUGF�D[�VYQ�VJKTFU��FWG�NCTIGN[�VQ�VJG�continued rollout of vaccines.

Investments in agriculture are 2.5 to 3 times more effective than nonagricultural invest�ments in increasing the income of hungry and

In 2011, 17.9 millionhouseholds in the United States

struggled to put food on the table.

24

Loving God, we thank you for setting a place HQT�WU��#V�[QWT�VCDNG�VJGTG�KU�CNYC[U�RNGPV[�VQ�GCV�CPF�TQQO�HQT�GXGT[QPG��(TQO�QWT�VCDNGU�CPF�D[�the work of our hands we now offer these letters VQ�%QPITGUU�CPF�VJKU�RGVKVKQP�VQ�VJG�RTGUKFGPV���9G�CUM�[QW�VQ�DNGUU�VJGUG�NGVVGTU��VJCV�VJG[�OKIJV�open the hearts of our leaders and encourage VJGO�VQ�ECTG�HQT�CNN�QH�QWT�DTQVJGTU�CPF�UKUVGTU��+V�is our prayer that through renewed energy and C�YKNN�VQ�GPF�JWPIGT�CNN�RGQRNG�YKNN�ƂPF�C�RNCEG�CV�VJG�VCDNG��9G�RTC[�GURGEKCNN[�HQT�JWPIT[�CPF�poor people and we ask that your tender love extends a circle of protection around programs XKVCN� VQ� VJG�OQUV�XWNPGTCDNG�COQPI�WU��9G�CUM�these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Litany for an O!ering of LettersLeader: Loving God, Jesus likened your MKPIFQO�VQ�C�DCPSWGV�CPF�KPXKVGF�JKU�HQNNQYGTU�VQ�GCV�CPF�FTKPM�CV�VJG�VCDNG�KP�TGOGODTCPEG��$WV�YJGP�JG�UCY�KPLWUVKEG��JG�VWTPGF�QXGT�VCDNGU�KP�VJG�VGORNG��9G�JQPQT�[QW��IGPGTQWU�)QF��HQT�VJG�CDWPFCPEG�QH�ETGCVKQP�People: You prepare a table before us.

Leader: We thank you, generous God, for giving manna to the Israelites—and to us YJGP�YG�ƂPF�QWTUGNXGU�KP�RNCEGU�QH�YKNFGTPGUU�People: You prepare a table before us.

Leader: We praise you, generous God, for the gift of Jesus, who modeled faithfulness to you and who feeds us with holy food and drink.People: You prepare a table before us.

Leader:�9G�CFOKV��ITCEKQWU�)QF��VJCV�YG�JCXG�HCKNGF�VQ�CUUWTG�VJCV�QWT�PGKIJDQTU�CV�JQOG�CPF�CDTQCF�JCXG�CEEGUU�VQ�VJG�HQQF�VJG[�PGGF��People: Overturn the tables in our hearts.

Leader:�9G�EQPHGUU��ITCEKQWU�)QF��QWT�UVTWIINGU�VQ�VTWUV�KP�[QWT�CDWPFCPEG�People: Overturn the tables in our hearts.

Leader: We acknowledge, gracious God, our silence when we should have spoken and our passivity when we should have acted to end hunger.People: Overturn the tables in our hearts.

Leader: And so loving God, we seek strength that we might do your will.People: You prepare a table before us.

Leader:�9G�CUM�VJCV�[QW�NGCF�QWT�GNGEVGF�QHƂEKCNU�VQ�WUG�VJGKT�RQYGT�VQ�GPF�JWPIGT�KP�your world.People: You prepare a table before us.

Leader:�#PF�YG�UGGM�C�RNCEG�CV�[QWT�JGCXGPN[�DCPSWGV��KP�[QWT�GVGTPCN�MKPIFQO�People: You prepare a table before us.

All: Amen.

Pastor Dave Buerstetta blesses an O!ering of Letters at the Woodridge United Methodist Church outside of Chicago, Ill. Assisting him are Jason Shubert (left) and Tim Waynick.

Courtesy Dave Buerstetta

Personal letters are crucial and effective. But they are only the first step. Consider following up with a phone call, a letter to the editor, and a visit to the local offices of your members of Congress. Meet your senators or representative in Washington, D.C., during Bread for the World’s Lobby Day on June 11. For more on Lobby Day, visit www.bread.org/lobby.

Also consider joining Bread for the World members for training, fellowship, and advocacy at our National Gathering from June 8 – 10. For more information visit www.bread.org/gathering.

A Prayer for Your O!eringPrepare a place at the table for all people

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Very Important: Send Us Your Petition to the President!Don’t forget to send us your petition—located in the front pocket with a prepaid envelope. Please include your 2013 Offering of Letters feedback form and participant sign-in sheet in that envelope as well. You may also submit your report online at www.bread.org/go/OL. Thank you!

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2006 Bread for the World members continued their winning record of significant increases in funding for programs that address the causes of poverty in developing nations. The $1.4 billion increase in 2006 went largely to addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Now that millions more people are receiving life-saving medications, more people in the working years of their lives are again able to produce food, care for their children, and contribute to their communities.

2007 This Offering sought to win broad reform in the U.S. farm bill—making commodity programs into a more equitable safety net for our nation’s farmers, and shifting additional resources into nutrition, conservation, and rural development programs. Though commodity payment programs were not substantially reformed, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 did include the largest-ever funding increase for food stamps and food banks—an additional $10 billion over 10 years.

2008 Bread for the World pushed for more and better international development assistance. Our efforts helped win a supplemental appropriation of $1.8 billion to respond to the global hunger crisis. Our efforts to garner cosponsors for the Global Poverty Act helped build the political will that helped initiate foreign assistance reform efforts in 2009.

2009 Bread for the World members urged Congress and the administration to reform the way we deliver foreign aid to make it more effective in fighting poverty. As a result of our efforts, bipartisan bills were introduced in the House and Senate to begin the process of reforming the Foreign Assistance Act. In addition, President Barack Obama and the State Department ordered reviews to better coordinate how the United States delivers foreign assistance. Congress also increased funding for programs that fight hunger and poverty worldwide.

2010 December was a historic month for Bread for the World, as Congress passed two bills for which we had been advocating. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act—a five-year renewal of child nutrition programs—authorized an increase of $4.5 billion over 10 years, the largest increase of its kind. The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010—a compromise tax package—included key tax credits for low-income working families. The law continued the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit improvements that were about to expire, which was the goal of this Offering. Congress extended the benefits for another two years, which lifts millions of low- income working families out of poverty.

425 3rd Street SW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 200241-800-822-7323 Fax 202-639-9401 www.bread.org

You Make A Di!erence: Victories from Recent O!erings of Letters

2011 Because of an unprecedented pressure to cut programs vital to hungry and poor people, Bread had to refocus the 2011 Offering of Letters. While we continued to press forward with reforms to make U.S. foreign assistance more effective in reducing poverty, we also worked to create a circle of protection around programs that are critical to hungry and poor people. We prevented disproportionate cuts to these programs in the fiscal year 2011 budget. We also successfully advocated for important reforms to U.S. foreign assistance. Working with both Republican and Democratic members of Congress, Bread assisted in a House of Representatives bill that would promote better accountability, transparency, and efficiency in U.S. foreign assistance.

2012 In the face of continued unprecedented budget threats, Bread for the World called on Congress to maintain a circle of protection around funding for programs vital to hungry and poor people. The House passed proposals that would have cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) by nearly $170 billion over the next decade. Yet, after two years of budget fights and over $2 trillion of enacted deficit reduction, Congress made no major cuts to programs for hungry and poor people. Congress also extended for five years the current Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit benefits—assisting millions of low-income working families. In the final days of the 112th Congress, the House unanimously passed the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act, a bipartisan bill to improve efficiency among U.S. foreign aid programs. Unfortunately, the bill was held up in the Senate because of one senator who opposed it. We are optimistic that a similar bill will pass both the House and the Senate in the 113th Congress.

2013 The outcome depends on you!