A new Lawrence organization designed to shed light on the issue of world hunger will hold a kickoff banquet Oct. 16.

The Lawrence Ecumenical Bread for the World Coalition, which includes members of First Presbyterian Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Plymouth Congregational Church and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, began meeting informally this summer.

The kickoff event will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 N.H. Admission is free, but reservations are requested by calling one of the member church offices by Monday.

The organization, part of the national Bread for the World based in Washington, D.C., plans to work on a variety of hunger and poverty issues around the globe.