The Most Effective Person in Washington? You.

On Lobby Day on June 14, 2011 during Bread for the World's National Gathering, Lobby Day participants Cecilia Wangeci (in white sweater) and Kimberly Burge (in black sweater) met with Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02). They urged him to provide a circle of protection around programs that affected low-income people in the U.S. and overseas during talks about budget cuts. Photo by Jim Stipe.

Recent studies show that personal visits to members of Congress are the most effective way of influencing their decisions. Well, we need your help.

The dramatic cuts of $169 billion to SNAP proposed this year in the U.S. House of Representatives would have a devastating impact on all of our congregations’ efforts to address increasing need.

Every church across America would need to come up with, on average, an extra $50,000 dedicated to feeding people — every year for the next 10 years — to make up for these cuts.

Don't get us wrong. We firmly believe in reducing the deficit and balancing the budget. But we also believe it should not be done on the backs of those who can least afford it. Congress must protect and strengthen programs in our federal budget that help hungry and poor people at home and around the world.

Can we count on you to personally discuss this with your member of Congress during Bread for the World's Lobby Day on June 12? 

Register here for Lobby Day.

Help us convince Congress to protect funding for programs needed by low-income people in the United States and for foreign assistance that is focused on reducing poverty.

David Beckmann is president of Bread for the World.