1. 2012 Offering of Letters: Expanding the Circle of Protection

2. Bread for the World is: Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities in which we live. www.bread.org

3. Christians across the nation uniting their voices. A unified voice that creates lasting change for hungry people. An opportunity to use the gift of living in a democracy. An Offering of Letters is: www.bread.org

4. Biblical Basis If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. - Isaiah 58:10 www.bread.org

5. 2011: Outcomes Defended funding for domestic safety-net programs when one in five U.S. households struggles to get enough to eat. Protected funding for international aid programs that save lives and reduce poverty for the world’s neediest people. www.bread.org

6. Create a circle of protection around programs vital for hungry and poor people in the U.S. and abroad. 2012: The Goal www.bread.org

7. Budget Realities Programs for low-income people did not cause the deficit. These programs stimulate local economies. We need to cut hunger, not hunger programs. www.bread.org

8. Expanding the Circle of Protection: Mini-Campaigns www.bread.org

9. Expanding the Circle of Protection: Overall Campaign Protect essential programs for low-income people, especially in difficult economic times. Raise congressional awareness about how helpful and effective these programs are. Create a strong national voice in support of programs for low- income people. www.bread.org

10. Mini-Campaign Nutrition Assistance Create a circle of protection around funding for vital domestic nutrition programs that meet the needs of millions of American families. www.bread.org

11. Mini-Campaign Nutrition Assistance These programs work. We need to support the current benefit levels. SNAP (formerly food stamps) needs to be protected so it can continue to meet families’ needs. www.bread.org

12. Mini-Campaign Poverty-Focused Foreign Assistance Create a circle of protection around funding for vital poverty-focused foreign assistance programs that address the root causes of poverty. www.bread.org

13. Mini-Campaign Poverty-Focused Foreign Assistance Protect funding for foreign assistance. Support Feed the Future, international development Maintain USAID’s staff working capacity. Increase funding for 1,000 Days programs. www.bread.org

14. Mini-Campaign Tax Credits Create a circle of protection around tax credits for low- income families. www.bread.org

15. Mini-Campaign Tax Credits Pulls more children out of poverty than any other government program. Extend the current benefits for both EITC and CTC. www.bread.org

16. Mini-Campaign International Food Aid Create a circle of protection around funding for international food aid programs that serve as the greatest—and often only— line of defense between millions of families and hunger. www.bread.org

17. Mini-Campaign International Food Aid Protect funding for international food aid programs. Improve the nutritional quality of food aid. Support local agriculture. www.bread.org

18. Letters to Congress

19. Key Components of a Letter Make it personal. What motivates you to write? Make it clear. “I want you to protect programs such as …” Include your return address on the letter and envelope. www.bread.org

20. Tools & Resources

21. 2012 Offering of Letters Website www.bread.org/ol Stay current on the campaigns

22. Bread for the World Channel www.youtube.com/breadfortheworld

23. 2012 Hunger Report and Study Guide www.hungerreport.org Hunger Report : Addresses root causes and solutions. Christian Study Guide: Six small- group sessions.

24. Bread Blog www.breadblog.org

25. Other Ways to Get Involved

26. Become a Bread member. Join or start a local Bread Team. Visit your member of Congress. Become a Bread Covenant Church. Get Involved! www.bread.org

27. Get Connected! www.bread.org