Bread for the World National Gathering (Reflection #2)

On June 11-14, 2011 I had the honor of attending Bread for the World’s National Gathering at American University, Washington DC. Bread for the World is a inclusive faith based organization that urges our nations decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to dwell. The tactic that bread uses is what they like to call “Offering of Letters” where they and thousands of people across the nation write personal letters to their representatives in Congress and also meeting with them. What I like most about this group is the fact that they are more interested in fighting the root of the hunger/ poverty issue as opposed to tending to the manifestations of it. This brings a personal hope that the problem can be alleviated.  

Two activist and myself

On the first day we had orientation where they explained to all of the new people (as me) the 5 W’s and H of the organization. Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas spoke a great message to the people. I’m not impressed by many pastors of today but this guy really delivered a practical message that called for personal activity. DAY TWO we attended workshops, the two I attended were about mobilizing your community and your campus to get involved with the cause. DAY THREE we meet with other international organizations at the renaissance hotel, there they provided us with knowledge about how important a child’s first 1,000 days of their life are and nutrition for mothers and children. While at the hotel there was a session for African American leaders and such. While in that session most of the attendees were quite older than myself, but it was very informative. We engaged in dialog about how it is imperative for our people to have some knowledge of Africa. LASTLY on June 14^th we put our faith to action and had a lobby day, where we meet with the House of Representatives and the senate on Capitol Hill!

Throughout the conference I meet some great people and made a lot of connections in the name of the solution. I enjoyed the diversity of the gathering. I came across some Christians, Messianic Jews, Catholic, Muslims, and people who just loves God and understands that there are hungry people out there and unless we do something we will never experience the change we want to see. Above all I enjoyed this gathering and I look foward to doing more work with Bread for the world in my community and campus. Food is a basic need to sustain life and everyone shall have the right to it!

                                                      Miss Black Illnois delegate, President David Beckman and myself.