Introduction

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6

Dear Friend,

When we hear the word hunger, we think immediately of food -- the natural remedy for hunger. The scriptural references to food and entreaties to help the hungry have echoed across the consciousness of Church World Service since our birth 60 years ago.

Hunger is often defined as being chronically underfed -- and tragically there are more than 850 million people on our planet today who fit that description-- some of them right here in the U.S.

Shortages of food are a palpable symptom of the root cause of hunger -- poverty and powerlessness.

CWS was forged in the crucible of a hungry post-war Europe and Asia, and massive shipments of food were the response. Now CWS is helping people and communities in various parts of the world to meet their own needs. Today, we’re helping to fight hunger at its roots.

In parts of East Africa, that means training and other assistance for children heads-of-household, orphaned by the tragic HIV/AIDS pandemic. In the mountains of Vietnam, it’s a well for an ethnic boarding school, improving the children’s health so they can make the most of their educational opportunity. In the vast Gran Chaco of South America, we’re helping indigenous families -- especially the women --overcome the prejudice that has marginalized them and their rich cultural heritage.

As a friend and supporter of Church World Service, we know that you, too, hunger for a world at peace, where justice abounds, and where everyone has enough. And you are willing to go the extra mile to help make that happen. Thank you and bless you for your generosity of spirit, your prayers, and your steadfast support.

May God bless you and satisfy your hunger,

Rev. John L. McCullough
Executive Director and CEO