Inspiring a Generation of Hunger Advocates
The anti-hunger movement lost a pivotal figure this year.
The World Hunger Education Service (WHES) joins Bread for the World and numerous others in mourning the passing of Rev. Arthur (Art) Simon, who died on November 15, 2023 at the age of 93. His impact was profound and far-reaching.
Leading a Movement
Simon founded Bread for the World, an advocacy organization, in 1974 and served as its first president. His leadership guided a generation who continue to make significant strides in combating hunger both in the U.S. and globally.
“Art was a formidable force in the anti-hunger community,” said Peter Morris, Chair of the WHES Board of Directors. “His involvement in the hunger movement was part of an important inflection point.”
The 1970s were a hotbed of activity—an era of heightened awareness and activism, spearheaded by leaders like Simon, who inspired others to take action. Among them was Pat Kutzner, who, motivated by Simon’s work and the momentum within Bread for the World, founded the World Hunger Education Service in 1976.
Simon’s faith and conviction were a beacon of hope in a hungry world.
As the brother of the late Senator Paul Simon (D-Ill.) and a committed Lutheran pastor, he understood that addressing hunger was not only a political challenge, requiring systemic change through policy, but also a matter of faith, answering a divine call to feed the hungry. He championed the idea that a united outcry by citizens, especially when channeled through their churches, could significantly influence elected officials to end hunger.
Legislative Impact
And he was right. By 1976, Bread for the World’s collective Christian voice had persuaded Congress to pass the Right to Food Resolution—the most fundamental statement of anti-hunger principles made by Congress up to that point.
But that was just the beginning.
Under Simon’s leadership, the organization played a key role in impacting more policies. In 1977, they influenced the creation of two grain reserves for emergency food aid, saving millions of lives over the years. By 1978, their efforts contributed to an overhaul of U.S. aid. And in 1981, the group was instrumental in passing a global food security bill.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Since then, Bread for the World members have continued to influence legislation, bringing far-reaching benefits to those experiencing hunger.
It’s difficult to quantify the extensive influence his legacy continues to have,” Morris said. “From shaping legislation that saves lives to nurturing a generation of leaders dedicated to ending hunger, his life had a tremendous impact.”
Simon’s message that hunger is preventable was spread not only through his activism but also through his writings. He authored several books, including “The Rising of Bread for the World: An Outcry of Citizens Against Hunger” and his most recent book, “Silence Can Kill: Speaking Up to End Hunger and Make Our Economy Work for Everyone”. His written contributions have significantly enriched the broader conversation on social justice and humanitarian work.
Kathy Pomroy, Treasurer of the WHES Board, who ran Bread for the World’s organizing department for 23 years, benefited from Simon’s leadership.
“Art played an active role in the lives of Bread’s staff, a role he continued even after his retirement.” she said. “Always a pastor, he cared for us as individuals and supported us and our faith journeys. His life was a testament to the belief that we can end hunger and to why we need to put our faith into action.”
Simon’s legacy will bear fruit for years to come. Many, including us at the World Hunger Education Service, are grateful for the inspiration of his life’s work. He transformed countless lives for the better.
To learn more about Rev. Simon’s life and legacy, visit the Bread for the World website.
“My father used to tell us when we were kids, ‘Better to build a fence at the top of a cliff than an ambulance at the bottom’… Bread for the World emerged as a way of building that fence.”
—Art Simon, excerpt from address to Westminster College as part of the 2009 Symposium on Democracy
