Contact: Jennifer Stapleton, 202-464-8123; Shawnda Hines, 301-960-4913; both with Bread for the World

WASHINGTON, June 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad, is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Christian band, Evensong Rising.

This is the first such partnership for Bread for the World with a Christian band and for Evensong Rising with an advocacy organization.

"With lyrics that reach back in Christian tradition and music that makes them relevant to young people today, Evensong Rising's music matches our movement," said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. "This partnership will help Christians deepen their discipleship by advocating for hungry and poor people."

In September 2008, Evensong Rising will release a new album and begin a national tour in churches and colleges across the country. During the tour, the band will introduce advocacy—reaching out to members of Congress and other decision-makers—as a part of Christian calling.

"We are tremendously honored to work with Bread for the World," said Rev. Chris Sorensen, lead singer for Evensong Rising. "For decades, Bread members have fought relentlessly on behalf of hungry and poor people here at home and around the globe. By changing the policies that keep people in poverty, they are providing help and opportunity to hungry people all over the world.

"Our music challenges people to be the hands and feet of Christ, and this partnership with Bread for the World will provide our listeners with concrete opportunities to express this passion."

Evensong Rising is the music of The Rising Group, an ecumenical Christian organization that aims to bring spiritual awakening and humanitarian activism into the lives of students. The band was established in 2001, to lead worship at 275 year old Stanwich Church, in Greenwich, CT. In 2003, the Rising Group was founded and Evensong Rising began touring.

The focus of the partnership's advocacy efforts is Bread for the World's annual Offering of Letters, where church members across the country write personal letters and emails to members of Congress on issues affecting hungry and poor people. The 2008 Bread for the World Offering of Letters is focused on urging Congress to pass the Global Poverty Act and to increase federal funding for poverty-fighting efforts by at least $5 billion annually.

"We have a remarkable record of success in Congress through these annual Offerings of Letters," said Rev. Beckmann. "Since 2000, the United States has more than doubled funding for effective programs that help developing countries in Africa and other poor parts of the world and strengthened national nutrition programs like the school lunch initiative. This would not have happened without the persistent advocacy of Bread for the World members. We're glad Evensong Rising is joining with us."

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. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities where we live.