There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.

Mother Teresa (1910–1997), founder of the Missionaries of Charity, repeatedly emphasized that poverty is not only material but also emotional and spiritual. In her work among the sick and destitute in Calcutta and in her later travels to wealthier countries, she often remarked that loneliness, abandonment, and lack of human tenderness could be as devastating as physical deprivation. This line reflects her public message from the 1970s–1990s: that modern societies may feed bodies while neglecting the human need to be seen, valued, and loved—needs she encountered both in slums and in affluent settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.

The quote contrasts physical hunger with a deeper “hunger” for affection and recognition. Mother Teresa suggests that many forms of suffering arise not from empty stomachs but from emotional neglect—being unloved, unnoticed, or treated as disposable. “Love and appreciation” function here as essentials of human dignity: they affirm a person’s worth and belonging. The statement also challenges charitable priorities, implying that relief efforts should include presence, compassion, and respect, not only material aid. Its significance lies in reframing poverty as relational and moral, urging individuals and institutions to practice attentive care alongside practical assistance.