Anti-Hunger Advocates Call for a Place at the Table at 2013 Lobby Day

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Anti-hunger activists from across the country will storm the nation's capital on June 11, 2013, Bread for the World's annual Lobby Day, to advocate for a place at the table for all people.

"Each year, advocates participate in Lobby Day to help change policies that allow hunger and poverty to persist," said Eric Mitchell, director of Government Relations at Bread for the World. "Nothing is more powerful than the voice of constituents in making lasting change."

Participants will convene at the Mead Center in Washington, D.C., for worship, issue briefings, and practice sessions before heading to Capitol Hill to meet with their senators, representatives, and congressional staffs to advocate for U.S. foreign assistance that effectively reduces poverty. After congressional meetings, Bread for the World will honor several members of Congress for their ongoing commitment to fighting hunger.

"There is so much dysfunction on Capitol Hill these days, but it is important that we recognize those who have taken an often unpopular stance to help protect the least among us during this trying time," said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. "Because of the leadership of a few, millions in this country and around the world have access to life-saving resources and nutrition that they otherwise might not have."

Lobby Day officially concludes Bread for the World's 2013 National Gathering, June 8-11 in Washington, D.C. The organization's premier event features renowned preachers, high-level government officials, members of Congress, development and nutrition experts, and other well-known speakers—presiding over worship, delivering legislative information, engaging participants in anti-hunger advocacy, and more.

Bread for the World will host a pre-Lobby Day training webinar on Wednesday, May 29 at 3 p.m. ET. Analysts will share tips on how to conduct meetings with members of Congress and explain the legislative issues Bread will address during Lobby Day. Following are instructions to join the webinar:

Audio:

1. Dial the conference access number: 1-800-704-9804.
2. Enter the conference access code:  6384346#.

Web login:

1. Click here or visit: https://www.accuconference.com/customer/join/.
2. Enter access number (800-704-9804), conference code (6384346#), and name, then click "join."

Participants should contact Government Relations Coordinator Traci Carlson at 202-688-1149 or [email protected] with any questions or problems accessing the audio or online portions of the webinar. Bread for the World will post the webinar to the Lobby Day web page the following day for those who cannot attend.

Lobby Day is free, but registration is required. Bread for the World will provide meals, talking points, shuttle transportation to and from congressional office buildings, and a closing service and reception. For more information about Lobby Day or the National Gathering, please visit http://www.bread.org/event/gathering-2013/. To join the conversation on Twitter, please use hash tag #BreadRising.               

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

SOURCE Bread for the World