RCA WORLD HUNGER

Ministry Description: The Hunger Program of the RCA is a part of Reformed Church World Service (RCWS). RCWS was started after World War II in order to respond to the many needs in Europe, Africa, and Asia. RCWS works with our partners throughout the world to stop hunger. In fiscal year 2004 (Oct. 1, 2003 – Sept. 32004), grants totaling $55,700 were given to all eight regional synods to support RCA-related food pantries and feeding programs.

Grants were also sent to alleviate hunger and provide shelter for displaced persons in Mozambique, the Congo, Malawi, Kenya, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Sudan, the Balkans, Honduras and Nicaragua ($260,057). Some of this assistance was in the form of seeds and tools (Balkans and Nicaragua). Goats were given to people in Malawi, Kenya, and Mozambique ($84,434).

HRC Support: HRC supports the RCWS World Hunger program financially from its tithe to missions. We also designate special collections such as the Thanksgiving offering and One Great Hour of Sharing to be used to support the fight against world hunger. Regular donations are made to the Food Pantry located in the Fishkill Reformed Church.

Invitation to Serve: Are you concerned about world hunger? In our world today, one in five people are hungry and 24,000 children die every day from hunger or hunger-related causes. How do you begin to comprehend such statistics? The RCA has many ways in which to assist those concerned and willing to serve in the war against hunger. You can find some of them on http://rcws.rca.org/hunger/15ways.php What about leading a group in CROP WALK?

Prayer Requests:

That we can comprehend the enormity of the need,
and meditate on Bible passages that instruct us how to respond to hungry and poor people: Deut. 15:7-11; Psalms 146:5-7; Prov. 14:21; Isaiah 3:13-15, 58:1-10; Matt. 25:31-46; Luke 6:20-26, 16:19-31; 2 Cor. 9:6-15; James 2:14-17, and 1 John 3:16-18.

Contact: Ann Jackson (227-7924) or Cyndy Warren (223-9376) for Food Pantry questions or Mary Merillat (897-5984) if you are interested in starting another outreach for hunger.