New Campaign to Make Poverty a Top Issue in Presidential Election

Washington, DC, October 13, 2015 — A coalition of leading advocacy organizations has launched a campaign to urge presidential candidates to focus on ending poverty.

 “We know that the end of poverty and the end of hunger are possible. The question is if we will make them a political priority,” said Dr. Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund. “Last month world leaders affirmed their commitment to ending extreme poverty globally by 2030, and we need the same commitment to the end of poverty in this country. As voters prepare to go to the polls, it’s time for candidates to get serious about turning the opportunity before us into a reality.”

Vote to End Hunger will mobilize a network of grassroots supporters to pressure presidential candidates to create strategies for combatting poverty and food insecurity. RESULTS is a founding Steering Committee member of the coalition.

According to the latest Census data, one in seven Americans lives below the poverty line. Growing up, Jamy Rentschler was one of them. She said that without critical federal benefits like free school lunches and SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) she would not be where she is today.

“Food assistance was critical for me. Without that support, I doubt I would have been able to perform well in school and accomplish what I have,” said Rentschler, who was the first person in her family to go to college. She has since earned two bachelor’s degrees and an M.B.A.

“We have a unique opportunity to engage these candidates,” said Rentschler. “Let’s send a strong message that we expect our next president to take action against poverty and hunger.”  

For more information visit www.votetoendhunger.org 

About RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund:

RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund are sister organizations that, together, are a leading force in ending poverty in the United States and around the world. We create long-term solutions to poverty by supporting programs that address its root causes — lack of access to health, education, or opportunity to move up the economic ladder. We empower ordinary people to become extraordinary voices for the end of poverty in their communities, the media, and the halls of government. The collective voices of these passionate grassroots activists leverage millions of dollars for programs and improved policies that give low-income people the tools they need to move out of poverty.

Contact:

Colin Smith
[email protected] 
+1 202.783.4800 x.139