Bread for the World Launches Campaign to Make U.S. Foreign Aid More Effective for Poor Countries Such as Haiti and Liberia

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bread for the World today launched its 2011 Offering of Letters campaign to urge Congress to reform U.S. foreign assistance so it is more effective and benefits hungry and poor people globally.

"The main driver of poverty reduction in the world is the hard work of poor people themselves. Given the opportunity to improve their communities and provide a better life for their children, they will seize it," said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. "We need to make sure U.S. foreign aid reaches those who need it most, and that it supports their efforts to lift their communities out of poverty."

More effective aid matters to poor countries such as Haiti and Liberia. For example, Haiti is struggling to recover from long-standing poverty made worse by the 2010 earthquake. Similarly, the people of Liberia are emerging from two devastating civil wars that left many more deeply impoverished. These problems cannot be overcome quickly. But more effective U.S. assistance will make a big difference as Haitians and Liberians—and people in many other developing countries—increase their capacity and infrastructure so they can become self-sufficient and build a better future for themselves.

"Hunger and poverty are not partisan issues, and we will push members of Congress to work together to ensure that the needs of hungry and poor people are met," added Beckmann.

Bread for the World seeks changes on four fronts:

• A stronger U.S. government focus on reducing poverty.
• Clearer accountability for how U.S. aid dollars are spent and their results.
• A transformed U.S. development agency.
• U.S. aid that meets the needs and wants of local people.

Thousands of churches representing nearly 50 diverse religious denominations throughout the United States will participate in Bread for the World's 2011 Offering of Letters campaign. As part of a worship service or Mass, Christians will write letters to their members of Congress in support of legislation that will benefit hungry and poor people. Instead of money, these letters are placed in the offering plates and dedicated to God. Bread for the World members generate hundreds of thousands of letters to Congress every year.

Bread for the World's Offering of Letters materials are available online at www.bread.org/OL.

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