Alleviating Hunger and Eliminating Its Causes
“Enslaving poverty in a world of abundance is an intolerable violation of God’s good creation.”—Book of Confessions, 9.46
Fighting hunger is at the heart of our Presbyterian understanding of mission. Jesus fed the hungry and told his disciples to do the same. Presbyterian congregations are reaching their communities with the love of Christ – offering meals for hungry people through food pantries, soup kitchens, community gardens, backpack programs and more. This is vital work.
Complementing the work of local congregations, the mission of the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) is to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes. We recognize hunger as an extremely complex phenomenon with economic, political, environmental and social causes, and we work to address the “root causes” that keep people hungry and impoverished.
“When the world tolerates the vicious suffering of hungry people, the church is called to speak out and share all that we have. When powers and principalities regularize exploitation, the church stands with the exploited and witnesses to the fullness of life God intends for all. When people are made poor and vulnerable or reduced to objects of pity, the church builds relationships of dignity and equality among all.” —Rev. Rebecca Barnes
Working in partnership in the United States and around the world, we seek to find out why people are hungry and encourage action that will help address the underlying causes. Together we approach hunger holistically, using a variety of approaches, including direct food relief combined with root cause work, sustainable development, advocacy, intentional and sustainable living, and education.
PHP offers educational and worship materials, as well as participatory opportunities, so that those who would like to join in this work can take action to help end hunger for neighbors next door and around the planet. Congregations involved in this work are invited to join as Hunger Action Congregations.
Let’s work together to end hunger!
Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing and the Presbyterian Hunger Program make a difference in lives around the world. Together we work to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes, rooting our work in communities through partner grants, striving to change laws and practices so communities can flourish, and engaging Presbyterians in this work—locally & globally.
2023 PHP Impact Snapshot – See what your gifts, advocacy, and working in partnership helped to achieve in 2023.
PHP says thank you for the difference you’re making! 2 minute video
Making a difference – stories and reports
Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing and the Presbyterian Hunger Program make a difference in lives around the world. Together we work to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes, rooting our work in communities through partner grants, striving to change laws and practices so communities can flourish, and engaging Presbyterians in this work—locally & globally.
2020 PHP Impact Report – See what your gifts, advocacy, and working in partnership helped to achieve in 2020.
PHP says thank you for the difference you’re making! 2 minute video
2021 PHP Grant Report – list of 80 grant recipients receiving support for their work in 2022
Stories/Reports from PHP’s work with grant partners – available on the Centsability page
Resources and Materials
Resources and materials are available from the Presbyterian Hunger Program, including educational resources for congregations and individuals. Many resources are available as free downloads or as printed copies for purchase. Below you will find links to specific resources created by the hunger program as well as recommended resources produced elsewhere.
Presbyterian Hunger Program Bible Study
PHP Post Newsletters
Download current and previous issues of the Hunger Program’s quarterly journal. Each issue focuses on one hunger- and poverty-related topic and includes updates about PHP programs as well as reflections, scripture and activities. Email
php@pcusa.org to sign up to receive the
Post.
PowerPoint Presentations
A variety of presentations can be used to learn about and interpret the work of PHP, including Earth Care Congregations, international hunger work and the Joining Hands program, Hunger Action Congregations, and the Hunger Program overall. Narrated versions are available, or you can download a version with notes to lead yourself.
Download presentations here.
Cents-Ability
Also called 2-cents-a-meal,
Cents-Ability resources are available to help congregations and presbyteries raise money for local, national and international hunger ministries.
Children’s & Youth Resources
Printable Resources for Congregations and Individuals
PHP Posters/Placemats
PHP posters are 11×17 and can help educate about hunger-related topics. Many can also be used as placemats for hunger-related events. Explore the variety of posters available.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Materials from the Office of Special Offerings are available to help with OGHS promotion.
Resources, including great Minutes for Mission, help tell the story of the work done by PHP, thanks to your faithful giving.
Just Eating
The
Just Eating bible study explores the relationship between our faith and our food. Adult, middle school, and African American Congregation versions are available. Learn more and
download or order copies.
Joining Hands
PHP accompanies communities and civil society organizations in their campaigns to improve policies or corporate practices that impact fundamental rights to water, food, land and other natural resources.
Just Living
This series of short booklets helps Presbyterians practice their faith in their everyday lives. Each issue explores lifestyle integrity for different seasons of our lives.
Considering our Treasure: A Reflection on Embracing God’s Economy
Dive deeper into Luke 12:34 as you use this resource for learning, reflection, study, and action. Consider (alone or with your group) God’s economy, where your treasure is and where it is being spent, and how your resources reflect God’s love for creation.
Click Here
Eco Palms
Help protect forests, local jobs, and sustainable livelihoods in the harvesting communities by ordering
Eco Palms.
Earth Care Resources
Food and Faith materials
Garden Safe, Garden Well Guide: Jumpstart your community garden with & customize with your own local resources in minutes.
Food Sovereignty for All Handbook: Create a community garden or other faith-based initiative using this resource the for guidance.
A Preliminary Report on Seeds and Seeds Practices across the US: Produced by the US Food Sovereignty Alliance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and partner organizations highlights concerns about monopolization of seeds.
Food Movements Unite! Companion Bible Study accompanies Food Movements Unite! a book, from Food First, that is full of strategies to transform our food systems. Discussion questions arranged by the themes of head, heart, hands, biblical and transformational provide the basis for adult book study groups to do four- or six-week studies.
Facts about Hunger
About 925 million people suffer from hunger worldwide. That’s one out of every seven people. To learn more about hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world, check out our webinars and other videos or visit some of these websites:
Get Involved!
Consider ways you and your congregation can connect with PHP and be involved in hunger action and earth care in your community and world.
Show a PHP Powerpoint presentation to help others learn about the overall work of PHP; how to become an Earth Care Congregation; our international hunger work and Joining Hands program; or how to become a Hunger Action Congregation. Choose between a narrated version (sit back and play for a group discussion or class), or download one with notes that you can rehearse and lead yourself. Download the presentations here.
Get certified as an Earth Care Congregation.
Join as a Hunger Action Congregation.
Order Eco-Palms to help protect forests, local jobs, and livelihoods in harvesting communities.
Purchase Fair Trade products. Allow your faith and values to guide your consumer choices.
Use the Community Food Assets inventory to learn about your own community’s food insecure areas, food assets, and underlying causes of hunger. This hunger education activity, created for youth groups, can be adapted for an adult study or intergenerational activity, for either a 75-minute session or two shorter sessions.
Engage in food relief activities to help meet needs in your community and globally. Explore ways you and your congregation can serve to help eliminate the causes of hunger.
Stand in solidarity with our partners:
Help fight systemic causes of poverty internationally by Joining Hands with PHP. Engage with PHP on the issues of food & land, resource extractions & climate, or trade reform.
Volunteer! Add your time and talent to further the mission of partners of One Great Hour of Sharing Ministries. With local leadership, these groups are responding to critical needs, addressing root causes, increasing self–reliance and building community power. Learn about ways to engage with PHP, PDA and SDOP partners on the interactive OGHS Engagement Map.
Raise Funds for Hunger
Cents-Ability – Congregations invite every member — of all ages — to contribute a few cents at every meal. Funds can be used to benefit local hunger ministries and national and international hunger action through the Presbyterian Hunger Program.
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering – Most congregations receive the “OGHS” offering on Easter Sunday, Passion/Palm Sunday, or throughout Lent. However, you can help sustain the important PC(USA) ministries and programs that are supported by the OGHS Offering, including the Presbyterian Hunger Program, by making an online gift at any time during the year.
Presbyterian Giving Catalog – The giving catalog raises funds for our denomination’s work in relief and development. Your alternative gift is only one of the many ways you can make a life-changing difference. Spread the word with family and friends, and involve your congregation in gift giving that demonstrates God’s work in the world!
