People of diverse faiths in almost 100 communities in 36 states are challenging candidates and elected officials to address the issue of poverty in America during "Week of Action” September 9 – 16, 2008. This call to action is to bring attention to the needs of the nation’s poor and urge candidates for elected office to outline what they would do in their first 100 days in office to develop comprehensive plans for reducing poverty and creating economic opportunity in the United States.

Visit www.jrf.org/fight-poverty-with-faith for full details of this initiative.

By speaking with one voice, participants seek to spark a national conversation, and create a mandate for the officials elected this year to aggressively pursue a poverty-reduction agenda. A coalition of 21 national faith groups is sponsoring the interfaith week of action.

A national kickoff conference call (call-in information below) and a closing prayer vigil on the steps of the United States Capitol bookend the week. Other activities include: grassroots writing and calling campaigns, forums to discuss these issues with local and national civic and political leadership. Groups will also engage in interfaith community service to aid those in need in their communities, and highlight the need for increased leadership from elected officials on these issues.

KEY NATIONAL EVENTS

National Conference Call
Sept. 9, 1:00 pm EDT

Speakers:

• Congressman John Lewis of Georgia
• Rabbi Steve Gutow, Executive Director, The Jewish Council for Public Affairs
• Rev. Clarence Williams, C.P.P.S., Senior Director for Racial Equality and Diversity, Catholic Charities USA
• Dr. Jared Bernstein, Director of the Living Standards Program, Economic Policy Institute

Toll-free dial-in number from within the US and Canada: 888-668-8585 (The toll number for international callers: (201-604-0409). Participant Access Code: 7905123#

Prayer Vigil on Capitol Hill
Sept. 16, 10:00 am EDT
Steps of U.S. Capitol

Speakers here:

• Rev. Larry Snyder, President, Catholic Charities USA
• Rabbi Steve Gutow, Executive Director, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs
• Rev. Jim Wallis, Chief Executive Officer, Sojourners
• Bishop James Mauney, Bishop for the Virginia Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• William Daroff, Vice President for Public Policy and Director the Washington Office, United Jewish Communities
• Jim McDonald, Vice President for Policy and Programs, Bread for the World
• Simone Campbell, Executive Director, NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

For more information, including details on local events, visit fight
Groups Participating in Fighting Poverty with Faith: A Week of Action:

Alliance to End Hunger
Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies
Bread for the World
Catholic Charities USA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Interfaith Youth Core
Islamic Relief
Islamic Society of North America
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
The National Council of Jewish Women
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Council of Churches
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Presbyterian Church (USA) Washington Office
The Righteous Indignation Project
Sojourners
Union for Reform Judaism
United Jewish Communities
Women of Reform Judaism