The Christian Century

Jesus is in distress. He’s still shaking the dust off his feet from that unhappy visit home when he learns that Herod has had his cousin John beheaded.

Dramatic increases in food and gas prices are leaving some religious hunger-relief groups praying for relief.

Problems were already apparent in 2006, but U.S. churches now report increased difficulty getting meals to people who need them. Food distributors see a perfect storm: a huge jump in requests from new clients, along with decreased donations and a thinning food supply.

The annual “Souper Bowl” antihunger campaign broke another record in donations this year—reaching $9.5 million from 14,654 congregations by March 5, officials said.

A majority of American cities participating in a recent survey have seen an increase in the number of requests for emergency food assistance, the U.S. Conference of Mayors reports.

Data bite