Our Impact
Since 1993 we’ve dedicated ourselves to developing, inspiring, and connecting new leaders in the movement to end hunger in the United States and around the world. Here's how we measure our impact towards the goal of ending hunger by 2030.
By the numbers
We've trained thousands of new leaders in the movement to end hunger.
551
Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows
147
Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows
75
Zero Hunger Interns
92
Participants who have completed the Zero Hunger Summer Seminars
10,000 +
Participants who have completed a course on Zero Hunger Academy
Taking part in one of the Hunger Center's leadership development programs is a transformational experience for many of our participants. According to a 2017 survey of Emerson and Leland Hunger Fellow alums:
Fully three quarters of program alums go on to work for the social good, in their communities and at the national level, in the United States and abroad. The leadership capabilities and experience they bring with them makes them effective advocates and leaders in the movement to end hunger.
Testimonials
It is vital that our society have strong leaders who work with and on behalf of people who are hungry and at risk of hunger, championing their interests, ensure their voices are heard in the decision making process—whether that is on the ground at local food banks, or in the hallowed halls of Congress—and proposing the most promising, effective, sensible policies to address hunger. The Hunger Center afforded me and my peers with incredible understanding of and exposure to anti-hunger research and advocacy, so that we would be armed with this information as we moved forward in our public service careers.Indivar Dutta-Gupta, President & Executive Director, Center for Law and Social Policy (Emerson Fellow, '05-'06)
The fellowship gave me, like it gives so many others, the chance to dive in to meaningful food and nutrition security work, learn from top-notch colleagues, gain experience at both the field and policy levels, and launch my career. I continue to maintain close relationships with my fellow Leland Fellows and with the Congressional Hunger Center. These relationships go beyond a professional network—they form a truly lifelong community of individuals committed to ending global hunger.Giselle Aris, Director of Strategic Partnerships and New Initiatives, Land O'Lakes International Development Division (Leland Fellow, '11-'13)
Our statewide, but lean, organization was supported over the years by three sets of Hunger Fellows. Although their time with us was short, they arrived with a high set of skills and an even larger passion for the work...Given the tight budgets and strained capacities of many nonprofit organizations, having a set of hunger fellows was a gift to us because we could assign a long-desired task for which our day-to-day would not allow us time to complete but that we knew would greatly enhance our work.Debra A Susie, Former President and CEO, Florida Impact
From small community-based organizations and food pantries to international NGOs or UN agencies, everyone has a role to play in ending hunger. The work of our Hunger Fellows and interns has expanded the capacity of 358 partner organizations working to end hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world, in 47 U.S. states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., and 43 countries worldwide.
Resources
Transparency and responsible stewardship are integral values of our organization. See how we manage our resources efficiently to achieve the greatest impact.