28 Oct 2015

Vote to End Hunger Rally

By Jordan Bles

Many of you have heard about this already, but I wanted to be sure to spread the word far and wide. As you know, in Iowa we have a unique opportunity to set the priorities which govern our country. This election cycle, the faith community is coming together to make sure that hunger is central to that conversation. It all starts in Des Moines on November the 8th, with a Vote to End Hunger Rally at Grandview University.

More information is below, and attached. It would be great to have tons of CROP Hunger Walk folks there, from across the state. I know that there is a bus planned from the Quad Cities area, and one being explored from Western IA. Please let me know if you would be interested in either  of those. And, if you plan on coming to the event, please let me know!

To formally RSVP, click here. Please do spread the word far and wide, and don't hesitate to be in touch with any questions. As always, thanks for all that you do to end hunger locally and globally!

Additional speakers have been announced for the interfaith Vote to End Hunger Rally to be held Nov. 8 at Grand View University in Des Moines.

Kathie Obradovich, political columnist for the Des Moines Register, will serve as the emcee for the event. Cory Berkenes, executive director of the Iowa Food Bank Association, will speak about what hunger looks like in Iowa. Jos Linn, Grassroots Manager, U.S. Poverty Campaigns, RESULTS, will lead an interactive session educating participants on how to make hunger a priority issue in our political campaign.

Please sign up for the free event at votetoendhungeriowa.eventbrite.com. The event will begin at 2 p.m. and end at 4 pending on the availability of presidential candidates, who are being invited to speak. Several videos of candidates explaining their plans to address hunger and poverty will be shown in the arena immediately before the start of the rally.

Several groups have announced their support for the rally, including Church World Service, the Northeastern and Southeastern Iowa Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, the Presbytery of Des Moines, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. Plymouth UCC Peace Committee is also a supporter.

The Vote to End Hunger Rally is sponsored by Bread for the World and the Iowa Catholic Conference. Bread for the World President Rev. David Beckmann and Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates will speak at the event as well.

24 Sep 2015

Longtime CWS staff member, now retired, honored with Iowa Humanitarian Award

By Jordan Bles

(Des Moines, IA)  - Longtime Church World Service staff member, the Rev. Russ Melby will be able to commemorate his retirement after three decades of service in fighting hunger and poverty when he receives the annual Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award in Des Moines Thursday.

"Russ Melby embodied so much of what Church World Service is about, in helping communities to rally in fighting hunger and poverty," CWS President and CEO, the Rev. John L. McCullough said. "I am thrilled the World Food Prize Foundation chose to honor Russ in this way, and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Russ and his family."

Church World Service works to end hunger and poverty, and to promote peace and justice, in more than 30 countries. Melby worked to organize CROP Hunger Walks across Iowa during his tenure with the New York-based agency, in addition to engaging communities of faith to support humanitarian assistance. CWS is the national sponsor of CROP Hunger Walks, which raise money for hunger-fighting programs in the U.S. and support the life-sustaining work of CWS globally.

"Russ helped thousands of people in Iowa to see the difference they can each make in fighting hunger," McCullough said. "I can't think of a more deserving person."

The World Food Prize Foundation established the Robert D. Ray Iowa Shares Humanitarian Award in 2013 in recognition of the exceptional leadership that former Governor Ray demonstrated in dealing with multiple situations affecting refugees in Indochina, and to honor him on his 85th birthday (September 26). In doing so, the award was named after the Iowa SHARES campaign, which the Governor created in 1979 in order to send desperately needed food and medicine to suffering and dying refugees from Cambodia. Iowa SHARES stands for Iowa Sends Help to Aid Refugees and End Starvation.

The third annual Robert D. Ray Iowa SHARES Humanitarian Award will be presented to Rev. Melby on Tuesday, October 13, at the Iowa Hunger Summit, a free, grassroots event organized by The World Food Prize to unite all Iowans working to alleviate hunger at home and abroad. More information, an agenda and registration is available at iowahungersummit.org.

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