4:30 p.m. July 28 Boston Interfaith Worship Service and Rally Concurrent with DNC: People of faith challenge Democrats to end hunger and poverty in our country and worldwide

People who have first-hand experience with poverty, hunger and homelessness will sit side-by-side with delegates to the Democratic National Convention at a highly visual, highly animated interfaith service and rally, set for 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, in Boston.  Venue: The Old South Church, 645 Boylston St., Copley Square. 

The event’s purpose is to raise issues of hunger and poverty in this election year, and to press delegates and candidates to consider the question, “What will YOU do to end poverty?” SENATORS KERRY AND EDWARDS ARE INVITED TO SPEAK.  Part of a multi-city, national initiative called “Let Justice Roll: Faith and Community Voices Against Poverty,” it will include:

- On-site voter registration before and after the service/rally.

- A message by the Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., Senior Minister of The Riverside Church, New York, whom Newsweek named one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world.

- Worship leadership from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities.

- Worship music including a jazz group, cellist, Gospel choir, soloists and congregational singing in several languages and from several countries.

- Church and community organization banners hanging from the church’s balconies.

- Other great visuals, including a ritualized offering of attendees’ “pledge cards.”

Media briefing at 3 p.m. July 28 in the church library with Dr. Forbes and others will include a report on new survey findings from the Alliance to End Hunger measuring the priority voters give to hunger and poverty in the elections.

SPONSORS: Alliance to End Hunger, Bread for the World, Center for Community Change, National Council of Churches USA, United Church of Christ, Old South Church, Dunk the Vote and many Boston organizations.

All Democratic National Convention delegates and the candidates are receiving personal invitations to the July 28 service/rally along with hunger facts and a summary of “A Blueprint to End Hunger,” prepared by the National Anti Hunger Organizations (NAHO).  RSVPs already are in from the Wisconsin and Florida state delegations and from the college-age 21st Century Democrats.

A similar service/rally is being planned for August 31 in New York City, concurrent with the Republican National Convention.

Media Contacts:
- Bread for the World, John Brennan, 202-258-3993 (mobile);
- National Council of Churches, Leslie Tune, 202-297-2191 (mobile), or Carol Fouke (NOTE: JULY 26ff ONLY), 212-870-2252,
- Old South Church/Massachusetts Conference UCC, Peter Southwell-Sander, 774-279-0211 (mobile), or Tiffany Vail, 508-875-5233,