Dear Friend of Freedom from Hunger,

As a public researcher and program planner, I have spent much of my career focused on efforts to reduce maternal and child malnutrition.

I have been fortunate to work for many excellent organizations from international agencies to small nonprofits. That is how I could recognize what is so potentially effective about the Freedom from Hunger approach. But let me back up. After almost three decades of international work I was discouraged by the magnitude of the problem of child malnutrition. Many approaches to ending hunger were narrowly focused and overly politicized.

When I was first introduced to Freedom from Hunger, it was refreshing and exciting to see that they focus on increasing women’s financial access as well as their health and nutrition knowledge.

From my work in the field, I know that women play a key role in eliminating malnutrition. Extremely poor, rural women are an untapped resource, but they are as hardworking as any others, with both determination and dreams for their children.

On a trip to with Freedom from Hunger, I met a woman whose small food stand sat under a tarp she had set up. She was busy selling rice and sauces – what I call West African fast food – to passersby.

She told me that before she joined her women’s association she could only buy small, more expensive bags of rice. Worse still, sometimes the rice ran out before the day was over. This meant lost business and less money for her family.

Thanks to Freedom from Hunger, she could now purchase 50-kilo bags of rice, making each serving of rice less expensive. She proudly told me that she could make more money from each meal she sold – and that she no longer had to worry about lost business due to running out of rice. She had all the numbers in her head. It was truly impressive!

I saw tangible proof that Freedom from Hunger is making a difference. This is an organization I can believe in – one that will continue to have impact long after I’m gone.

That’s why I decided to plan for a bequest to Freedom from Hunger. They help the people who need it most and do so in a way that makes a lasting difference for entire families – even entire communities and future generations. (over, please)

1460 Drew Avenue, Suite 300 • Davis, CA 95618 • (800) 708-2555 • www.freedomfromhunger.org Equally important, education is a cornerstone of their approach. I personally witnessed education in Burkina Faso. Since many of the women cannot read, they use pictorial cards to explain how to give medication and the dosages used for treatment.

One woman said that the pharmacists don’t give them enough information about the malaria medicine. She told me that now she could say with confidence to her neighbors, “Here is what you need to do to treat your child.” You could tell that the women felt empowered!

I realize that making a planned gift is quite personal. I also understand that you are among those donors who have a commitment to ending hunger and empowering women.

As someone with decades of experience fighting hunger and malnutrition, I am convinced that Freedom from Hunger is making real progress, bringing new hope and opportunity to those they serve. I’ve seen it first hand.

On a trip to with Freedom from Hunger, I visited a tiny Andean village. As I spoke with a mother who had an arts and craft business, her teenage daughter came in and told me excitedly about her plans to attend college and become a teacher.

Her enthusiasm and ambition were contagious! It was clear to me that everything her mother had learned and accomplished was inspiring the next generation of young women.

For myself, I find it emotionally and spiritually satisfying to know that I am providing for the needs of the larger world, as well as for my family. Based on your loyal support for Freedom from Hunger, I believe you will too.

I invite you to add a bequest to Freedom from Hunger in your will. You will be creating a legacy of your own that will live on. And did you know that you can designate a specific dollar amount to a charity in your estate plan? Another option is to select a percentage that will go to charity, in effect continuing into the future the gifts you made in your lifetime? I encourage you to talk to your personal tax and legal advisors to learn more.

I still believe – more than ever – that together we can end chronic hunger. Thank you for your support for this wonderful organization!

Warm Wishes,

Joanne Leslie

P.S. Please consider adding a legacy gift to Freedom from Hunger in your will. If you have questions about how to leave a bequest, please check the appropriate box on the enclosed slip, or call Freedom from Hunger at 530-758-6200 ext. 1042, or visit https://www. freedomfromhunger.org/PlannedGiving.