Baylor Initiative Seeks to Organize Charities

Last week, the Baylor School of Social Work announced a partnership with the policy organization Christian Life Commission to create a new statewide anti-hunger initiative. 

The Texas Hunger Initiative seeks to coordinate the state's Baptist feeding ministries with other charities and the 10% of Texans who are practicing Baptists to significantly reduce hunger within six years. 

“With some organization and creativity, hunger in Texas can be alleviated, and I think we’ll be well on our way to that within six years,” said Jeremy Everett, the project's lead organizer and a former community organizer in San Antonio.

Initially, the project will focus on identifying gaps in hunger relief efforts in El Paso, Val Verde, McClennan and Bexar counties. The strategy may involve public policy advocacy in addition to local coordination.

"The process we'll put together for the hunger initiative is the same one I used in San Antonio, and both use social work principles," Everett said. "Students interested in community development and community organizing will graduate from the Baylor School of Social Work with direct practice experience gained through this initiative."