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The Early Church in the first several centuries under leaders like Basil the Great (4th century) established some of the first food programs, and saw feeding the hungry as a core part of the faith. Throughout the Middle Ages, monastic communities played a crucial role in feeding the poor. Monks and nuns cultivated gardens, provided meals for hungry travelers, and established some of the earliest hospitals and shelters for the hungry. The Rule of St. Benedict (6th century) emphasized hospitality, stating that all guests, both poor and rich, should be treated as Christ Himself. Christian benevolence, like those organized by St. Francis of Assisi (13th century), focused on alleviating hunger and poverty.

During the Reformation, Protestant communities, including the Puritans, emphasized communal support for the poor. Martin Luther and John Calvin encouraged cities to establish welfare systems to aid those suffering from hunger and food insecurity. The Catholic Church continued its commitment to feeding the hungry through orders like the Jesuits and Franciscans, who established missions providing food and relief to indigenous communities. The Church of England established parish-based relief efforts, ensuring that those in need had access to food and shelter.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of Christian social movements addressing food insecurity. Figures like Wilson Carlile (founder of the Church Army) provided food and shelter to the urban poor. The Oxford Movement, which revitalized Anglican social engagement, emphasized the church’s role in addressing food insecurity. The Catholic Worker Movement, founded by Dorothy Day in the 20th century, focused on hospitality houses where meals were shared with the homeless. Even now Christian churches and non-profit organizations, such as Food for the Hungry, Samaritan’s Purse, Compassion International, and World Relief, are major forces in fighting hunger globally.