Prominent national faith activists will join together March 20 at 11a.m. in Upper Senate Park here as part of a coordinated, multi-state “Loaves and Fishes” Day of Action to highlight the need for moral and political courage in federal budget negotiations.

With 21 events in at least 13 states, plus a press conference on Capitol Hill, the faith community will encourage Congress to protect families and seniors, reject austerity, and remind them we have enough for all in this country.

“In Jesus’ time, it took a miracle to feed all the hungry. But today in America, we have enough resources to feed everyone, house everyone, and educate everyone if our leaders have the political will to put the common good before tax breaks for big corporations and the super wealthy,” said the Rev.  J. Herbert Nelson, director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness .

Nelson added: “Congress needs political courage, not miracles, to pass a just and moral budget that makes the wealthy to pay their fair share and protects struggling families from further hardship.”

Together with PICO National Network, Interfaith Worker Justice, NETWORK: a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Bread for the World, Catholics United, The Jesuit Conference, Ignatian Solidarity Network, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Franciscan Action Network, Oxfam America, Sojourners, and Faith in Public Life, people of faith from across America will deliver fresh baskets of “Loaves and Fishes” to  lawmakers, serve fish-and-bread meals in congregations, and read the Gospel passage of “loaves and fishes” in public forums and congregations across America.

Bend the Arc Jewish Action will participate in the Capitol Hill press conference with matza and gefilte fish as Passover approaches.

In addition to Nelson, those speaking at the press conference include: 

  • Sr. Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK, a national Catholic social justice lobby;
  • Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block, senior director of leadership initiatives and rabbi-in-residence, Bend the Arc
  • Bishop Don Williams, associate for African American church relations,  Bread for the World;
  • The Rev. Jennifer  Butler, a PC(USA) minister who is executive director of Faith in Public Life.