Episcopalians advocate to feed the hungry in America and abroad

Diane Riley spends her days advocating for hungry people, recognizing that she could be in their place were she born 25 years later.

"I grew up in a very blue-collar home, and I know that today we would be one of the people going to food pantries," said Riley, advocacy director for the Community FoodBank in Hillside, New Jersey, and a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark. "We were able to make ends meet, own a small home. We never went hungry. We had health care. That would not be the case today."

Riley and others involved with hunger advocacy and feeding programs describe growing numbers of people – with and without jobs – seeking help from food pantries and meal programs as the economy continues to struggle.