Promises about Poverty: Hold Candidates Accountable

Thanks to you, we’re able to fund a non-partisan campaign to keep hunger and poverty at the forefront of this election, and after.

Last week on Facebook I announced our support for an innovative anti-hunger initiative, and promised we’d send Bread for the World a check for $100,000 as soon as I reached 100,000 “likes” on my Facebook page (which I guessed would take about a week). We hit that goal in just a few hours, so I extended the challenge through October 1st. The friends kept coming, and at midnight we reached 104,222 total “likes.” As promised, this week I’ve happily written a check for $104,222 to Bread for the World.

I’m also thrilled to let you in on this week’s launch of a key piece of this initiative: “The Line,” a new 40-minute video documentary produced by Bread for the World and its partners. You can be among the first to watch this important, eye-opening, VIDEO PREMIERE: The Line.

The Line” tells the stories of a former banker, a single mother, a Louisiana shrimper, and a head busboy as they’ve struggled to move out of poverty. They’ve managed to turn their lives around with God’s help, some assistance from their families and the federal government, and their own hard work. I think this film brilliantly humanizes this issue. It’s so easy to enjoy the blessings of being relatively affluent Americans — and not realize the harsh reality that exists for so many in our country.

Last week we posted three-minute videos from President Obama and Governor Romney, each spelling out in his own words how he intends to deal with the problems of hunger and poverty in America. All during October, Bread for the World will coordinate emailing these video links to 10 million voters in 18 key states, urging them to view the presidential candidates’ videos. Their call to action is for people to remind the candidates that hunger is a non-partisan issue that is vitally important to people of faith across the political spectrum.

At the same time, Bread for the World is sending DVDs of the candidates’ statements to about 2,000 churches throughout the country, to stimulate a discussion addressing hunger from a Christian perspective.

The next component, which starts mid-October to coincide with the presidential debates, is the airing of 900 radio spots on Christian radio stations in Florida and Colorado. The message will remind the listeners to not only view the videos, but to urge the incoming president and Congress to create a “circle of protection” around programs that are vital to hungry and poor people.

After the election, Bread for the World will send 5,000 DVDs of the president-elect’s statement to key faith leaders and churches, along with a study guide aimed at holding the next president accountable for his promise to work to end hunger and poverty during his term in office.

It is only through your support of my travel business — buying guidebooks, travel gear, DVDs, rail passes and tours — that we’ve had the wherewithal to generously fund Bread for the World’s ground-breaking initiative to bring hunger and poverty to the forefront of this presidential campaign in an effective, non-partisan way. These efforts will bring about positive change in our country. Thanks — not just to our Facebook fans — but to all of you who have helped us become a force for thoughtful travel, and social good.

Comments

10 Replies to “Promises about Poverty: Hold Candidates Accountable”

  1. Quoting Rick “Their call to action is for people to remind the candidates that hunger is a non-partisan issue that is vitally important to people of faith across the political spectrum.”

    This might just be a case of sloppy wording (very unusual for Rick) but if it isn’t, I think I take offence at the implication that it’s any less important an issue to atheists like myself. And if that wasn’t meant to be implied, then why the qualification?

  2. It’s almost impossible for anybody, even an excellent writer and thinker, to write without somehow offending someone somewhere. To me, people of faith, does not necessarily imply religion but faith in others, faith in the golden rule etc. It’s too bad “faith” almost always makes people think of religion.

  3. Sigh…I don’t think comment #1 or #3 are terribly helpful. I didn’t even notice the word when I read it, and I’m also an atheist. I think Rick probably had in mind the churches and christian radio stations that are being targeted, which are likely not atheist in nature :)

    It’s a wonderful (and selfless) effort, no need for ruffled feathers.

  4. I think that’s the first time in my entire life that I’ve ever been called politically correct. :) But anyway, to answer bk and jan, if you read the whole post, as I did, then there are numerous references to christians and churches, so I really don’t think that reading ‘faith’ as being ‘religious faith’ is much of a stretch.

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  6. I really wish that I could have faith that citizens of the United States could do anything non partisan or non selfish. It seems to be an uphill battle to just basically get along, to think past “you” as the only person on this earth. I have many good friends who are so willing to help one another like we all remember growing up as kids in girl scouts, boy scouts, school sports, music and activities. But all this negative noise whinning in our ears about everything that is wrong and nothing that is right is really getting old and pointless.

  7. I don’t always read Rick’s blogs very carefully. A lick and a promise without following thru on the promise is my preference. I do enjoy reading the readers’ comments because it gives a bit of insight to the people of the US, at least those who read RS.

  8. I love the sound of jimmies being rustled. It’s what makes this country great (or not).
    It is always surprising to me how the comments section of Rick’s little blog (even before Facebook), seems to be a fairly accurate barometer of the divisions in this country and the inability to come together for a common good cause without making sure our personal differences are heard loud and clear. Keep waving your flags and shouting over each other. Meanwhile some of us, like Rick, will use our hands, voices, and time to advance positive changes that help improve the lives of others. The rest of you can continue to whine about how your feelings were hurt because someone disagreed with you and your beliefs.

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