Slideshow image

More than 820 million people - that's about 11 percent of people in our world today - are hungry.


As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work.

Working with and through our congregations, in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Learn Moreabout ELCA World Hunger.

Hunger facts

  • 821 million people around the world - that's more than 1 in 10 - can't access the food they need to live active, healthy lives. [1]
  • According to the most recent estimates, 736 million people live in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 per day. That's 10% of the world's population. [2]
  • At some point in 2017 (the most recent year available), more than 40 million people in the United States were unsure where their next meal might come from. [3]
  • 39.7 million Americans were living in poverty in 2017. For a family of four, this means their annual household income was below $25,094. [4]
--------------------------------------