Speak Up and Speak Out for the Voiceless

Recently I had the privilege of attending a workshop conducted by David Beckmann, President of Bread for the World. The workshop, "Finding the Political Will to End Hunger," provided strategies for reducing hunger.

We must:

• Connect our work to the global effort to end hunger. Learn from what other countries have done.
• Build on our successes. Support the efforts of Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities.
• Emphasize the Gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ. Those who experience God as a loving presence in life are more likely to support hunger programs.
• We need the strength and commitment toward the poor that comes from churches.
• Step out in faith to address unemployment, immigration reform.

We must become vocal on the issue of hunger with legislators. No president since Lyndon Johnson has made reducing poverty one of his top five goals. Nor do we hear that commitment from our legislators. Instead, we only hear about protecting the middle class.

The House of Representatives will vote on the Farm Bill in the next few days. We need a circle of protection that does not cut the SNAP (formerly food stamps), WIC, and international food aid. More than 46 million people in the United States currently benefit from SNAP. Speaker Boehner's disaster relief bill includes a one year extension of the Farm Bill.

Hunger is violence against the body and soul of the poor around the world. Please let your voice be heard calling for continued funding of vital food programs in the Farm Bill.