Ecumenical Resources
Bread for the World Hunger Reports
Every year, the Bread for the World Institute publishes an annual report on the state of world hunger. As part of the institute's commitment to anti-hunger education, the report strengthens the anti-hunger movement by analyzing the causes of and solutions to hunger. The 2012 report lays out a strategy for economic recovery that will lead to sustained progress against hunger and poverty.
EXCERPT FROM THE FOREWORD
"Recovery from the financial crisis and recession has begun. But way down at the bottom of the world economy, it’s hard to see the sun breaking through yet. More than a billion people suffer from hunger, an increase of more than a hundred million in two years. The number of people in extreme poverty has also increased, reversing decades of progress. Global warming and growing global demand for food could lead to further increases in global hunger and poverty."
Learn more about these annual reports.
| Suggested Readings |
 Download  a list of suggested books and readings related to hunger and poverty. |
World Food Programme - 2009 Hunger Map
Learn about the geography of world hunger with the World Food Programme's downloadable hunger map. You can download the JPG file and print it out in the A3 format, or you can click on the map to enlarge it and browse areas of the world. It provides information for adults and children to learn more about the current distribution of people who are hungry in the world. [Open high-resolution jpg of map] |
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USDA Household Food Security Report
The USDA recently published
a report on Household Food Security in the United States.
State of Food Insecurity in the World report - FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations recently published it's "
State of Food Insecurity in the World report." From FAO's Web site:
The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2011 highlights the differential impacts that the world food crisis of 2006-08 had on different countries, with the poorest being most affected. While some large countries were able to deal with the worst of the crisis, people in many small import-dependent countries experienced large price increases that, even when only temporary, can have permanent effects on their future earnings capacity and ability to escape poverty.
Give Us This Day: A Lutheran Proposal for Ending World Hungerby Craig L. Nessan
Concern for the hungry belongs to the heart of the Scripture's testimony about God. The Bible's justice tradition serves as a canon within the canon that the Christian church dare not ignore. The Lord's Prayer demonstrates how justice for the hungry is also deeply rooted in the teaching of Jesus. The author summons the Christian church to listen to the cries of the hungry and commit itself to ending hunger as a matter of status confessionis. Ending hunger is a real possibility for our time. The role of the church in advocating this possibility is crucial.
NOTE: All royalties from this book will be donated to Bread for the World and the ELCA World Hunger Program. Order copies from the Augsburg Fortress Web site.
Hunger No More
This is a set of religious materials on hunger for religious congregations, which includes a leader’s guide, six class handouts, and children’s activities.
Hungry Planet: What the World Eats
by Peter Menzel
“It's an inspired idea--to better understand the human diet, explore what culturally diverse families eat for a week. That's what photographer Peter Menzel and author-journalist Faith D'Alusio…do in…a comparative photo-chronicle of their visits to 30 families in 24 countries for 600 meals in all…” [Amazon.com]
Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table
From the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
“This book uses scripture, prayer, and stories from the local and global community to explore five key aspects of our relationship with food:
- the health of our bodies
- the challenge of hunger
- the health of the earth that provides our food
- the ways we use food to extend hospitality and enrich relationships
- the opportunities for action, renewal and transformation in our eating practices — as individuals and as faith communities”
Lutheran World Information
Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the information service of the Lutheran World Federation. One report was entitled “Stewardship of Wealth – Overcoming Poverty.”
Youth Toolkit on Climate Change (from
The Lutheran World Federation Youth Desk/Blog)
This toolkit is meant for youth groups or leaders working with youth and can be used to:
- Equip youth with knowledge about the impact of climate change
- Provide guidelines for youth to design local projects fighting climate change
- Organize Bible studies, role plays, and other activities on the topic of climate change in various settings (e.g. workshop for youth, confirmation class, etc.)
Download the toolkit
Interfaith Worker Justice - Economic Crisis ToolkitIn response to the economic crisis,
Interfaith Worker Justice has created a free toolkit, Unemployment and the
Economic Crisis: A Congregational Toolkit. The toolkit provides resources and support to unemployed workers and can be used by an individual, a community, or in your congregation.