Six Steps Trump Can Take to Cut Hunger in Half

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#CriminalJusticeReform–In advance of his inauguration as the 45^th president of the
United States, Bread for the World has sent a letter to President-elect
Donald J. Trump urging him to take six meaningful steps during his first
year in office that will cut hunger in half in the U.S. and around the
world.

“With economic growth and focused effort, you can cut hunger in half in
the U.S. and worldwide within the next eight years,” said Rev. David
Beckmann, president of Bread for the World in his letter. “You have made
bold promises of prosperity for struggling communities across the
country, and you recognize the link between global security and world
hunger. Cutting hunger in half within eight years is possible, and we
can imagine you setting the goal and making it happen.”

The letter outlines the six steps Trump can take to cut hunger in half:

• Job creation and his infrastructure initiative, with a particular
  emphasis in communities that have high levels of persistent or
  concentrated poverty. A good job is the best way out of hunger and
  poverty, and improving the nation’s infrastructure is critical to
  staying competitive. The cost of concentrated poverty is high – in
  terms of violence, policing and safety, poor nutrition and health, low
  productivity, and despair.
• Health care. Congress should put an improved system in place at the
  same time as they repeal Obamacare – not put tens of millions of
  people at risk of losing their access to health care. Health and
  hunger are interconnected. Widespread hunger in America contributes to
  poor health and a staggering $160 billion a year in health-care costs.
  Before the Affordable Care Act, 1 out of 3 people with chronic medical
  conditions had to choose between treatment and food for their families.
• Immigration. Violence, hunger, and poverty push people from their
  homelands to the U.S. Addressing the push factors that cause people to
  uproot themselves and risk their lives will reduce immigration. The
  economy and morality of this nation are tied to our treatment of
  immigrants. A great America welcomes immigrants.
• Global development. World hunger is a threat to global security. In
  his first year in office, Trump can strengthen the U.S. government’s
  response to states on the brink of disaster. Investing in self-help
  development and humanitarian approaches could make the world and the
  U.S. a safer place.
• Criminal justice reform. With more than two million people
  incarcerated in our country, at an estimated total cost of $45
  billion, support for criminal justice reform has grown in both
  political parties. The reduction of mandatory minimum sentences for
  non-violent offenders would save millions of dollars, and those
  dollars could fund safety-net programs for people who are
  transitioning from prison into jobs. This would lower the risk of
  their return to crime in order to eat or pay for a place to stay.

• Global nutrition. Malnutrition permanently stunts the bodies and
  limits the future of one-fourth of the children in developing
  countries. Recent knowledge gives us inexpensive ways of reducing
  malnutrition. Every dollar invested in nutrition for mothers and
  children yields a return of $16 – and getting nutrition to hungry
  babies is sacred work.

“Our country is hobbled by sharp divisions. Racism, demonizing
immigrants, and promoting deep divisions in society are contrary to
God’s love and contribute to the persistence of hunger and poverty. So
we look to you, as president, to live up to our nation’s ideals of
inclusion and to foster respect for all people,” continued Beckmann.

Bread for the World (www.bread.org)
is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to
end hunger at home and abroad.

Contacts

Bread for the World
Chris Ford, 202-688-1077
cford@bread.org