New Data Show Hunger Problem Persists in States

Bread for the World
Thursday, 14 October 1999

Chicago, Oct. 14, 1999—Reflecting concern about the continuing problem of hunger in the United States, Rev. David Beckmann spoke out today calling for a renewed commitment to address this challenge.

"In 1 out of 10 homes in America, people struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table," Beckmann said in remarks to the USDA National Summit on Community Food Security. "While it's true that some states report deeper and wider hunger than others, no state should take too much pride in doing better than 1 in 10 homes, the national average."

Beckmann, a Lutheran pastor and former World Bank economist, is coauthor of "Grace at the Table: Ending Hunger in God's World" (1999). He is president of Bread for the World, a 44,000-member Christian citizens' movement against hunger. Founded in 1974, Bread for the World's members lobby Congress and the administration to bring about public policy changes that address the root causes of hunger and poverty in the United States and overseas. Bread for the World is a nonpartisan organization supported by 45 denominations and many theological perspectives.

For more information, or to contact Bread for the World, see their website at: www.bread.org