wfn.org | ELCA Hunger Appeal Slightly Short

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF

April 7, 1997

ELCA HUNGER APPEAL SLIGHTLY SHORT

"We almost made it -- $11,814,023 toward a $12 million budget
goal," said the Rev. Roger O. Livdahl in a memo to the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's World Hunger Appeal
network.  Livdahl is director of the appeal.  "Congregational
giving to the appeal, the most important giving category, was
down $400,000 from 1995 and $200,000 from 1994," said the
Rev. John L. Halvorson, ELCA director for world hunger
ministries.  "The success of the hunger appeal over the years
has been based largely on the premise that the appeal belongs
to the ELCA's congregations and synods," said Halvorson.
Bequest contributions totaled $378,496, almost $200,000 more
than budgeted.  Livdahl reported "a serious decline in
domestic disaster proceeds despite the dramatic increase in
disasters the past year."  Domestic disaster proceeds totaled
$911,234 for 1996 -- $262,990 less than 1995.  "International
disaster receipts were about $364,000 -- $26,000 more than
1995," said Livdahl.  "Because of the $1.2 million reserve
established at the beginning of 1996, we have been able to
pay all of our commitments to our international and domestic
partners," said Livdahl.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html