The Congressional Hunger Center, a bi-partisan 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 1993 by Tony Hall, Ambassador and Former Member of Congress in response the expiration of the House Select Committee on Hunger.
Their mission is to train and inspire leaders who work to end hunger, and to advocate public policies that create a food secure world. They strive to be a leader in the movement to ensure access to food as a basic human right for all people. They create and nurture a community of innovative and inspiring leaders who act as change agents, bridging the gap between grassroots efforts and national and international public policy to provide access to nutritious, affordable and culturally appropriate food.
They accomplish this mission through our advocacy, policy and coalition work, and our two leadership development programs; the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program, and the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program.
THEIR WORK
They develop anti-hunger leaders
They believe that one of the most effective ways to end hunger is to develop, train, and mentor a new generation of leaders willing to accept the challenge of ending hunger. Since 1994 CHC has supported the development of more than 500 powerful new anti-hunger leaders through the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program, the Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program, and successor leadership development initiatives.
They bridge grassroots efforts and public policy
CHC serves as a bridge between the grassroots efforts of local organizations and the enactment of public policies that will expand access to national and international solutions designed to alleviate hunger. Through a unique combination of both field and policy work, the Emerson and Leland Programs bridge the grassroots efforts of local communities and the national/international organizations focused on policy development. This approach offers Hunger Fellows a unique perspective on the necessary connections between national policy and local experience, and allows them to share this perspective with national and international policy experts.
They build coalitions that advocate for food security
CHC advocates for public policies designed to enhance food security. They frequently work in coalition with allied groups on common legislative and regulatory campaigns. Some of their current coalition work includes policy and advocacy efforts with: