By Meghan Lynch, St. Mark’s, East Longmeadow

This June, I became a first-time attendee for the Bread for the World Gathering 2007 – and I have returned full of good news!

For those who don’t know, Bread for the World is a nationwide Christian movement that seeks justice for the world’s hungry people by lobbying our nation’s decision makers. The gathering is formerly a bi-annual event but will now become annual starting in 2008.

This year’s theme was apt and inspiring – “Growing a Movement.” The sense that the world is truly changing for the better was coursing through the entire four-day conference.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-MA, and Meghan Lynch, St. Mark's, East Longmeadow

Many of the key speakers at the conference spoke of tangible signs of progress being made toward the Millennium Development Goals, both in statistics and personal stories. The best news was that for all eight of the MDGs, measurable progress has been made – and since we are at “half time” to make the 2015 deadline, this news should serve to reinvigorate efforts toward accomplishing these life-saving goals.

The other focus of the conference was the Farm Bill – which one speaker called “the most important bill you’ve never heard of” and which could be more accurately referred to as the “Food Bill” since it affects much more than farms and farmers.

The Farm Bill comes up for renewal every five years and is currently being brought before the House for debate. The conference culminated in a Lobby Day when Bread members stormed Capital Hill to meet with senators and congressmen and demand broad reform to the Farm Bill. This broad reform included the following key points:

Strengthen the Food Stamp Program by increasing benefit levels, expand eligibility and increase program participation, and undertake measures to reduce the stigma associated with food stamps.

Increase investments that strengthen rural communities by fully funding for the Rural Development Title, promote local initiatives to revitalize rural towns, and provide resources and incentives for rural entrepreneurs.

Provide a broader, more equitable system of support for U.S. farmers and rural communities than exists with the current commodity system.

Strengthen policies that promote conservation and stewardship of the land by fully funding programs like the Conservation Title.

Improve and expand international food aid.

Bread for the World has well-thought out strategies and solid statistics that were conveyed to participants prior to their meetings. Participating in Lobby Day was definitely, for me, the most rewarding and inspiring part of the conference as it reinforced that our system of government, while it often seems consumed by business interests, still does allow for the voices of individuals to be heard. And with over 500 individuals speaking out on behalf of poor and hungry people, with a moral imperative on their side, no one could deny that the effect was not felt on Capitol Hill. It was also important for me to realize that even our legislators are not always educated on these issues, so being able to speak confidently and concretely about the facts surrounding hunger and the Farm Bill was extremely empowering.

Above all, it was clear that God was present and working through each and every participant in the conference and on Capitol Hill on Lobby Day, and that we are on the brink of a profound change in our struggle against poverty.

If you are at all interested in working for the MDGs and joining in Bread’s efforts against hunger, do not miss the Gathering 2008. It renewed my will to continue, and made me truly believe that we can see the end to extreme poverty and hunger in this generation.