Calling the Church to Action on Hunger & Nutrition

World Hunger Day CTA
Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Today is World Hunger Day. The World Food Programme reports that acute hunger is on the rise, affecting 343 million people in 74 countries, with up to 1.9 million people on the brink of famine. Conflict, wars, disease, debt, the rising cost of living and weather-related emergencies are worsening the crisis.  The world’s most vulnerable men, women and children--next door, in our congregations, and across the globe--are bearing the greatest burden. An estimated 45 million children suffer from wasting, which increases their risk of death by 11 times, while over 148 million children under five are affected by stunting, a condition that limits growth and development for life (SOFI 2024). 

The Prayer & Action Against Hunger Coalition  -  an initiative by Christian organisations, calls upon the global church to pray, act and advocate to address the pressing and growing issue of hunger and malnutrition.

The global church has effectively responded to hunger and malnutrition for generations and has a unique opportunity to make a profound impact on hunger in the current crisis. The year 2025 marks an important milestone to commemorate the ecumenical 100 years of the Life and Work movement, and the 1700th anniversary of the opening of the Council of Nicaea, which formulated the Nicene Creed.  It is also the first time since 2017 that Christians worldwide have celebrated Easter Sunday on the same day. For Roman Catholics, this year marks both a special Jubilee year of hope with the passing of Pope Francis and the appointment of Pope Leo XIV, both champions of centring the marginalised. These milestones serve as a rallying cry for the church to take bold action, embodying the love of the Triune God and the compassion of the risen Christ, who transformed our stories of hopelessness and loss into light, life, and a living hope – announcing the year of the Lord's favour.

Isaiah 58 reminds us of our divine mandate: "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" (Isaiah 58:7 NIV). Today, as too much of the world turns away, what will our witness be? 

Given these dire circumstances, together the church must take on the concerns and pain of the world, just as Christ took on ours. We need to give, we need to pray, we need to advocate for just systems and we need to share our food with the hungry. Let us unite in action and prayer, transforming stories of despair into testimonies of hope and resilience. 

The church is positioned to lead this important work. We are already on the frontline, serving in soup kitchens or providing school meals. We are heard by politicians and policymakers.  We are invited to pray, appealing to the Highest authority. 

On this World Hunger Day, let us heed the call to be the hands and feet of Christ, bringing light to the darkest corners of the world and ensuring that our food is shared with the hungry.

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What you and your congregation can do:

Your congregation can demonstrate solidarity on the issues of hunger, nutrition, and food security. Below are some ideas and examples for your consideration. Consider joining us in these efforts as you are called and able : 

Pray

Act

  • Come together
    • PAAHC – Host a Faith Community Nutrition Dialogue – gather your local church community to generate energy around hunger and nutrition to share challenges and solutions, to encourage one another and to amplify the voice of faith communities to local, national and international duty bearers. 
  • Participate in Campaigns
    • Integral Alliance – Neglected Crisis Call to Action. – 5 calls to action for governments, donors, the media, NGOs and individual Christians
    • World Vision - ENOUGH – rallying the global church to say ENOUGH to child hunger and malnutrition—mobilising prayer, action, and advocacy to ensure every child has the food and nutrition they need to survive and thrive. 
    • Bread For the World Nourish Our Future - Gather communities of faith to write letters to elected officials to address childhood hunger through improving SNAP, WIC, the Child Tax Credit, and global nutrition.
    • World Council of Churches: Food for Life Campaign - seeks to educate, inspire and mobilise faith communities to take action for increased food security and sustainable agriculture

  • Donate

    • Salvation Army - Donate to your local Salvation Army – “When you give to The Salvation Army, you help your neighbours navigate food insecurity, natural disasters, unexpected job loss, housing instability, and so much more.”
    • Wesley Men – FastPrayGive. A Movement to end world hunger - FastPrayGive.org
    • Bread for the World - Every dollar you give to support anti-hunger advocacy helps secure hundreds of dollars in lifesaving assistance for vulnerable families in the United States and around the world.
    • World Vision - Make an impact by donating 
    • Any other similar initiatives by faith community

Advocate