Every week at All Saints Church we put our faith into action. This week we are signing a letter to our members of Congress urging them to support and cosponsor the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act of 2021 (H.R.4693 / S.2956).

Malnutrition is responsible for nearly half of all preventable deaths among children under five. The key word here is preventable. We have the tools and knowledge to end malnutrition.

Last week, the bipartisan Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act of 2021 was introduced in the Senate (S.2956). A similar bill was introduced in the House earlier this summer (H.R. 4693). This is a big moment and an even bigger opportunity to make a difference in the lives of millions of women and children.

The bipartisan legislation will authorize USAID to advance targeted programs to prevent and treat malnutrition around the world; ensure an elevated focus on nutrition programs across global health, food systems, and other sectors; and require robust monitoring of these interventions to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars.

An additional 13.9 million children are expected to be severely malnourished by next year. The people who face hunger across the globe now number 811 million, erasing years of progress. Investing in nutrition saves lives, creates stability and is economically smart; for every $1 invested there is an estimated $35 in economic return.

Targeted interventions protect the nutrition of women and children during the critical 1000-day period between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday and are essential for ensuring the development of children’s physical and mental health.

Good nutrition improves brain development, health and earning potential later in life. Access to nutrition, especially in the first 1000 days, sets the stage for a strong and healthy generation. Malnutrition is preventable. Please sign a letter to your members of Congress urging them to support and co-sponsor the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act of 2021 (H.R.4693 / S.2956).

Options to Sign:

1. Sign a letter at the Action Table Sunday morning.
2. Download a PDF copy of the letter to sign and mail.

Letter used at the Action Table.     Letter for those outside California.

3. Click on this link to sign a petition on line.

If you need to look up your member of the U.S. House of Representatives or your U.S. Senators, www.house.gov and www.senate.gov .