22 October 2004

Coordinated Efforts to End Hunger
Raise Nearly $400,000

Community of Christ members and friends from across the United States have put forth extra effort in the fight against hunger during March and April of the past three years in response to the Feinstein $1 Million Challenge. Each year more dollars have been raised and awareness of hunger issues has increased.

The Community of Christ congregation in Stockton, Missouri, is part of the local ministerial alliance-sponsored food pantry that involves 13 faith groups.  The interfaith Feinstein food drive pictured above was held at Stockton's Catholic church.

For 2004 nearly $400,000 were raised (in cash or food donations) for local feed-the-hungry projects and the Feinstein Foundation granted the Community of Christ World Hunger Fund a $1,200 bonus. Wallace B. Smith, World Hunger Committee chair, said, “We feel blessed to have so many dedicated volunteers working on this undertaking. Now we’re looking forward to an even greater response next year.”

For the past seven years, the Feinstein Foundation has divided $1 million annually among non-profit organizations in the United States that work to feed the hungry. Individuals and congregations (on their own or in cooperation with local food pantries) raise funds and collect canned goods to meet local needs. All that is left is to file a report with the Feinstein Foundation to receive a portion of the $1 million grant for their organization. The foundation also challenged students to work with their schools to collect canned goods during March and April for a local agency. A $1,000 award was presented to ten schools selected for having the best projects.

For the three years that Community of Christ has been involved, Joyce Carter has volunteered on behalf of the church’s World Hunger Committee to coordinate this ministry and help with the reports. She welcomed the opportunity to work with nearly 30 Community of Christ Feinstein Challenge coordinators this year. “It has been a blessing to talk to these people and hear about their concerns and efforts in their area of the country. Wonderful people!” she said.

Joyce explained, “We represented towns and cities all over the states. We thank Mr. Feinstein for the chance to participate in such a worthwhile endeavor.” Each coordinator represented a congregation, mission center, affiliated interfaith organization, or a school. Each operates a small food pantry or supports one from the community. Services they offer range from serving meals, distributing groceries, and providing social services.

Joyce was enthusiastic about the progress of the effort from year to year. She said, “The first year [2002] we raised close to $175,000 and for 2003 we went over $256,000. This year we raised nearly $400,000 in two months to feed the hungry in our own communities. I am thrilled with the efforts everyone made this year and look forward to continuing with this ministry.”

For more information about the Feinstein Foundation, visit www.feinsteinfoundation.com. To get involved in the Community of Christ-wide effort for the 2005 Feinstein Challenge, contact Joyce at joyceanncarter3@hotmail.com or (816) 536-0699.

-Kendra Friend reporting