Working toward a just world where all are fed.
One out of every 11 people — as many as 720 million — in our world are hungry.1 As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work.
ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to accompany communities in need because we work with congregations in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as other partners and Lutheran churches overseas.
From health clinics to microloans, water wells to farm animals, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Learn more.
Hunger Facts
- Today the futures of many communities are in jeopardy as the global hunger crisis remains. Amid rising costs, global conflict, the lingering impact of COVID-19, and intensifying effects of climate change, decades of progress have been undone.
- Food prices rose throughout 2024 and continue to increase in 2025, which makes it harder for many families to access a healthy diet. Worldwide conflict and turmoil have only increased the cost of food.2
- Climate change means 3.6 billion people live at risk of climate-caused disaster, risking their lives and raising the cost of living.3
- Extreme poverty — living under $3 per day — affects 831 million people.4
- In the United States alone, over 47 million people face food insecurity.5 Housing unaffordability has reached an all-time high in the U.S. — over 22 million households spend over 30% of their income on rent and utilities, which leaves less money to afford food.6
- Even as so many of our neighbors struggle with hunger, funding to many aid organizations has been eliminated or drastically cut.
Get Involved
- Join ELCA Advocacy: ELCA Advocacy works for change in public policy on behalf of the biblical values of peacemaking, hospitality to strangers, care for creation, and concern for people struggling with hunger and poverty. Sign up for action alerts to stay up to date on ways to take action locally and nationally.
- Know Your Neighborhood guide: Addressing issues of hunger and poverty in your local area starts with getting to know your neighborhood. Get to know your neighborhood with this guide to understand what’s happening near you.
- Backpack Buddies program: The Backpack Buddies program provides elementary school children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals with a sack of healthy and easy-to-prepare foods for weekends when they aren’t in school. Use this guide to start a backpack program for kids in your area.
- Feeding Ministries guide: Use this guide to help you get to know your community and start a feeding ministry.
_____________________
[1] “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025,” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
[2] “Food Price Outlook,” U.S. Department of Agriculture; “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025,” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
[3] “Summary for Policymakers,” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
[4] “Poverty Overview,” The World Bank.
[5] “Food Security in the U.S. - Key Statistics & Graphics,” USDA Economic Research Service.
[6] “America’s Rental Housing 2024,” Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
