(BLACK PR WIRE) (November 5, 2010) CHICAGO, IL – Bread for the World kicked off Harvest for the World: Exploring Strategies to End Hunger with the African-American Church today at Trinity United Church of Christ. This two-day dialogue investigates the connection between the church and anti-hunger efforts domestically and abroad.

“Historically, the church has been one of the most visible and influential stakeholders in the black community, in particular as it relates to social justice work and responding to the community’s needs,” said LaVida Davis, Bread for the World regional organizer. “It is important that we talk about what each congregation is doing to establish best practices and streamline our efforts to end hunger in our community and abroad.”

In recent years, economic instability and food insecurity have led to a surge in hunger and poverty around the world. In the United States, more than one in five children lives in poverty. The poverty rate in Chicago was 21.6 percent in 2009, including 45.2 percent of African-American children–more than twice the national average for children. There is much work to be done globally as well. New figures released by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization indicate that 925 million people worldwide are suffering from chronic hunger this year.

“The hunger and poverty figures are alarming, but African-American churches are making tremendous efforts to help bring them down,” said Davis. “We must look at how policy affects poor and hungry people and how we can influence those policies. It is imperative that African-American churches participate in this discussion.”

Harvest for the World features lively discussions about the African-American community’s responsibility to act on international hunger issues (particularly in the African diaspora), the lack of affordable and nutritious food in the community, and how Bread for the World can encourage lawmakers to pass legislation that reflects the concerns of African-American churches in the greater Chicago area.

Key participants include Audrey Rowe of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service; representatives of Chicago State University; Alderwoman Fredrenna Lyle of Chicago’s 6th Ward; Anton Seals from the office of Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL); and Fred and Jifunza Wright of Black Oaks Farm in Peotone, IL. LaDonna Redmond, president of the Institute for Community Resource Development and founder of Graffiti and Grub, will speak at the November 6 “More than Emergency Services” session.

Harvest for the World continues through Saturday, November 6. Media are invited to attend “More Than Emergency Services – How Bread for the World can help influence legislation that reflects the concerns of the African-American church in the greater Chicago area” at 10:15 a.m.. To coordinate an interview with a spokesperson or facilitator, or to RSVP, please contact Kristen Youngblood at kyoungblood@bread.org or (202) 464-8123. 

Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.