What is Bread for the World? Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Bipartisan Advocacy at national level No direct service—advocacy only Offering of Letters as one tool

Why advocacy? From the Bible God cares about hungry people. Prophets held leaders accountable. Charity is important, but not enough. Government needs to do its part.

What is an Offering of Letters? One key advocacy tool Joining our voices with others Letters to Congress— handwritten are best Can happen anytime, anywhere, with anyone

Why our letters matter Members of Congress want to hear from constituents. In a democracy, we can advocate and hold leaders accountable. Personalized letters are rated highly (more than pre-written form letters/ s/ petitions). If we get discouraged, what voices will Congress hear?

Our advocacy makes a difference Each year, our letters help win victories on Capitol Hill.

Bread for the World’s 2014 Offering of Letters

People fed in the wilderness (manna, quails) and on hillsides (loaves, fish) Our neighbors are nearby and far away. What other Bible passages or stories come to your mind? The Bible, hunger, and food aid

What is U.S. food aid? Part of foreign aid, funded by taxpayer dollars Meets urgent humanitarian needs (drought, famine, war, disasters like Philippines typhoon) Longer-term development tool, with other aid Story examples…

Who gets U.S. food aid? In fiscal year 2012: top recipients of emergency food aid: Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Chad. top recipients of development food aid: Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and South Sudan. In Latin America (and the Caribbean), the top food-aid recipients were: Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras.

How does food aid work now? Most food is grown in U.S. At least 50% transported on American ships. It’s costly and slow to arrive where it’s needed.

What smart changes are needed? 1.An updated and more flexible system. That means: More food purchased near people in need. Why? It arrives faster, is less expensive, helps local farmers and economies.

What smart changes are needed? 2.Improve nutrition: 1,000 days key window for very nutritious foods

What smart changes are needed? 3.Maintain funding in the face of federal budget cuts

The key “ask” for your letter To Congress: I urge you to protect and reform U.S. food aid in ways that increase efficiency, increase nutritional quality, and maintain funding levels.

Tips Keep your letter brief and to the point. Make the letter your own. Tell your story. (Include something from real life.) Explain why you care about hunger. Make the “ask.” Include your name and home address.

Congressional addresses For Senate members: Sen. (Name) U.S. Senate Washington, DC For House member: Rep. (Name) U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

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