by Brandale Mills
DailyLobo
The Bread for the World organization set up a table in the SUB on Thursday to encourage passersby to do their part to end world hunger.
The organization did not ask for cash donations. Instead it asked students to write letters asking Congress to support legislation that deals with hunger issues around the world.
Sister MaryAnn Barrett, director of the Campus Ministry at the Newman Center, said handwritten letters are more personal than typed letters.
"By writing to legislators, it can be more effective to getting our point across," she said. "Handwritten letters show that the issue is personal and close to home."
Students could write their own letters or copy from a sample letter.
A video playing next to the table showed the effects of hunger around the world and what Bread for the World plans to do to help. Phrases such as "make hunger history" and "voice against hunger" flashed across the screen.
Bread For the World was started by a Lutheran pastor who convinced some members in his congregation to write letters to members of Congress in hopes of getting legislation to fight hunger.
Barrett said though the organization was founded in a religious background, it is not solely a religious movement. She said it's time for people to take a stand to fight hunger.
"We can spend billions of dollars destroying and rebuilding Iraq, but our welfare is being greatly affected by this growing problem," Barrett said.
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Student Allison Polsley wrote several letters to U.S. representatives at the table. She said Wednesday night she was thinking of ways to help out global food shortages.
"I really felt like I needed to do something," she said.
Polsley said a friend called her to tell her about the Bread For the World table in the SUB, and she immediately rushed over.
"I think it's nice to write a personal note to get things done," she said.
Andrea Lucero, president of UNM Bread for World, said the letters are an effective way to reach members of Congress.
"If it's done at the right time, the letters should definitely be considered," she said. "The more constituents, the better."
Lucero also plans to attend the Bread For World national lobby day in Washington, D.C., this summer to help the cause.
Community member Ted With agrees the letters will be effective if a substantial amount of letters are written.
"Bread For the World is a good organization, and there are a lot of people working together to reach a common goal," he said.
Student Eric Black wrote multiple letters. He said being able to write Congress is a privilege people have.
"Knowing we have people to write to that may actually listen makes it our responsibility to write," he said.
At the end of the day, the group had collected about 50 letters.
Lucero said that was a pretty good number for UNM. This was the first time the organization had an information table at UNM.
