Contact: Shawnda Hines, 301-960-4913

WASHINGTON, May 13 /Christian Newswire/ -- Bread for the World today called on people of faith everywhere to respond to the growing hunger crisis all over the world by adding their voices to the Recipe for Hope campaign which runs the week of Mother's Day, May 11, until the week of Father's Day, June 15.

"Of course, the crisis cannot be solved within six weeks, but we want people of faith to know that they can make a difference by taking a series of simple but critical actions to end hunger now," said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. "Together we can turn the recipe for despair into a recipe for hope for thousands of mothers and fathers struggling to feed their families."

The campaign is being conducted against the backdrop of a global hunger crisis that is fueled by rising food prices. Global food prices have nearly doubled in the last three years, with largest spikes for basic grains like rice, wheat, and corn. The World Bank estimates that as many as 100 million people will join the ranks of 854 million poor and hungry people who currently do not have enough to eat each day. Hardest hit are the children, 16,000 of whom die daily due to hunger-related causes or one child every five seconds.

"As Jesus reminds us, when we share our bread with those who are hungry, God blesses even our smallest efforts," said Rev. Beckmann. "Feeding the hungry is itself an act of worship."

The Recipe for Hope campaign involves simple actions like stocking food pantries, educating others on the hunger crisis, fasting, prayers, raising funds for Christian anti-hunger programs, focusing worship services on hunger issues, and writing letters and calling members of Congress to enact long-term solutions to hunger.

To add your voice to the Recipe for Hope campaign, sign up at www.bread.org 

Bread for the World 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 in which we live.