Natural disasters, personal tragedies, poverty, and hunger are among the
many major needs in the world that members and friends are called to meet
and have helped alleviate by generously contributing to the Oblation and
World Hunger Funds. Giving to, as well as grants from, these funds were the
highest ever in 2005, making it possible for the church to reach out to
people in desperate situations as never before. “The Presiding Bishopric
expresses its deep gratitude to all of our contributors for giving so
generously,” said Bishop Paul Davis.
Families in the rugged Andes Mountains of Bolivia
are enjoying a greater variety of healthy crops
thanks to a new irrigation system.
(photo © Outreach International 2006) |
Oblation dollars make possible social ministries (including Tangible Love
projects) that help people move from urgent needs to self-sufficiency. World
Hunger dollars support ministries that alleviate the problems of hunger
around the globe. Ken Schnell, Tangible Love (co-chair) and World Hunger
Committees, said, “These ministries are about people who care about people.
It is about people who care more about the needs of others than they do
about spending more time and money on themselves.”
Major Disaster Relief
Many areas were devastated by natural disasters and had needs ranging
from the immediate to the rebuilding of communities. The year was launched
with a major funding campaign for both funds to help with recovery from the
December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Significant aid was also offered to hurricane victims in the United
States, Caribbean, and Central America. Total contributions to Oblation
equaled $2,255,000, including $950,000 contributed specifically for
hurricane relief. As of the end of 2005, about $375,000 in hurricane aid
remained to be distributed to survivors of 2005 or future hurricanes.
More than $200,000 in World Hunger dollars also provided disaster relief.
For the first time, part of that relief was shared via World Accord to help
areas of Pakistan, which suffered one of the deadliest earthquakes in
history.
Social Ministries
Total Oblation disbursements for disaster relief, support for individuals
and families, and Tangible Love grants equaled $1,682,100. Oblation met many
needs for people whose personal tragedies will never make the headlines. Aid
provided to individuals and families in need of such financial support
totaled nearly $640,000.
Tangible Love ministries are peace, justice, and compassionate outreach
ministries sponsored by congregations and jurisdictions in collaboration
with communities. Tangible Love Committee co-chair Andrew Bolton said,
“Compassionate ministries and peace and justice making are key to being
responsive to the whole gospel of Jesus Christ for all human
needs—spiritual, physical, social, and temporal.”
In 2005, $129,500 supported such projects. Five new ministries received
funding and 10 received continuing support. New ministries included creation
of a work cooperative in Santiago, Chile; a pilot satellite of the
Children’s Peace Pavilion in Fremont, California; and a jail ministry in
Grove, Oklahoma.
|
This young girl holds her 23-day-old
brother in Honduras. Her family works
with PRR, a World Accord program that
receives support from the World Hunger
Fund, and because of that this new baby
has a very good chance to grow up healthy and
happy. Statistics showed approximately 47 deaths
per year of children under age five due to
malnutrition in this area--there have been none
in four consecutive years! (photo © World Accord)
|
Helping End Hunger
World Hunger donations equaled $737,400, and $781,800 was disbursed.
Support for programs administered by Outreach International (OI) and World
Accord totaled more than $200,000 through each organization. Other major
support was granted directly to Bread for the World, Call to Renewal, and
community pantries.
Committee chair Wallace B. Smith said, “The magnificent way the church
has responded to the unprecedented challenges of both natural disasters and
continuing global poverty and hunger is inspiring. Out of that with which we
have been blessed we have responded to God’s call to be a blessing to
others. That we may continue to answer that call with compassion and love is
my prayer.”
A new relationship for the World Hunger Committee was created through OI
with Oikocredit USA, a leader in micro finance for the poor that provides
opportunities for small businesses, farms, and other enterprises in
developing countries. OI president Matthew Naylor said, “This relationship
enables both the church and Outreach International to participate in the
movement of helping people in poor communities build their capacity to help
themselves through small business development.”
Beyond offering money, there are many opportunities to offer time,
effort, and service. Increasingly more individuals and congregations support
pantries, CROP Walk, Bread for the World offering of letters, the Feinstein
Foundation challenge, and other local creative ministries that address
issues of hunger by actively involving people of all ages.
How to Help
You can financially support ministries throughout the world funded by
Oblation and World Hunger by contributing through Mission Tithes offering
envelopes and on the Web at
www.CofChrist.org/worldministries/ with a
debit or credit card. Offertories on the first Sundays in March and
September focus on World Hunger. The first Sunday of all other months focus
on Oblation. All undesignated contributions on those days go to the
emphasized fund.
Resources and networking available from headquarters and existing World
Hunger and Tangible Love ministries make it easy to begin and sustain new
local projects. Details about specific ministries, applying for grants, and
education and advocacy opportunities are at
www.CofChrist.org/tlove/ and
www.CofChrist.org/hunger/ or contact Ken Schnell at
1-800-825-2806, ext. 3073. Support for finding additional funding and
guidance from a consultant is available to grantees through
www.CofChrist.org/grantwriting/.
—Kendra Friend reporting
