Title: ELCA World Hunger Program Distributes Funds to Reduce Domestic Hunger ELCA NEWS SERVICE
April 18, 2007
ELCA World Hunger Program Distributes Funds to Reduce Domestic Hunger 07-059-BMC
CHICAGO (ELCA) --The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger Program awarded $913,300 in 360 grants to churches and organizations in the United States that provide services and programs for people who are hungry or living in poverty.
"We're doing a lot with a little," said Joe Young, director for community development services, ELCA Church in Society. Grants from $750 to $7,500 were awarded to local organizations because "they're doing good work for a population that might otherwise be overlooked," Young said.
The $913,300 awarded in 2007 represents an 18 percent increase over last year's total. Young estimated that 460 organizations requested $3 million, and 55 percent of those requests were from organizations that had never requested domestic hunger grants.
Lump-sum disbursements were processed in mid-April and will be mailed to grant recipients by May. Priority for awarding grants was given to people with the greatest need, and women and children living in poverty.
"We can't do this without the dollars and the time of men and women in the pews. It makes you feel proud" to be a member of the ELCA, said Young.
This is Young's third year of directing the domestic hunger grant process along with Johnnie Thompson, domestic hunger grant administrator, ELCA Church in Society. "What I really like about this process is that it has transparency that comes from having such a diverse group of people at the table," said Young. He praised the expertise, competence and understanding of the 15 members of the grants committee and their willingness to give organizations "every benefit of the doubt" when considering applications.
The grants committee met for three days in March to review each application. "I was glad to be there. It was very helpful to see the process unfold," said new committee member Dory Campbell, who added that the process is also stressful. "(Applicants) are doing such good work. They deserve the money they're asking for, but we just can't give it (to all applicants) because we don't have enough money" to meet all the needs, said Campbell, who is coordinator for the Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia (ELCMA), Indiana, Pa.
The committee is composed of 13 ELCA churchwide staff members, one member from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service based in Baltimore, Md., and Campbell.
Bob Sitze, director for hunger education, ELCA Church in Society, said the process connects local congregations to the wider church. "How would this all happen if we weren't connected?" He added that the grants "give access to those who don't have access" to food, jobs and a network of agencies and social ministry organizations.
Applicants are asked to provide endorsement letters from a Lutheran agency, congregation or leader. "Establishing a Lutheran connection is preferred. It shows a deeper connection. We're insisting on passion, motivation and involvement by members of congregations, and that becomes leverage for our work in congregations," said Sitze.
Campbell agreed. "You cannot do this (kind of work) in isolation and do it well for very long," she said.
Organizations applying for grants must have a 501(c)3 nonprofit status, a board that reflects the constituency they serve and staff members to achieve the desired goals. Projects must fit into one of three categories -- relief, development or organizing -- and the applicant must show that the project is sustainable and meets needs effectively.
Relief grants account for two-thirds of the 2007 awards. Grants totaling $592,100 were allocated to 252 relief programs that provide people immediate access to food, shelter, clothing, medical supplies and care.
Development grants totaling $162,450 were awarded to 58 programs that provide increased access to food and sustainable livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, technology, housing, jobs, primary health care, disease prevention, job training, child care, elder care, nutrition education, literacy training, sanitation, safe water supplies, below-market loans or just land use and distribution, according to the grant description.
Community organizing grants totaling $158,750 were allocated to 50 programs that bring together people with common values, complementary interests, and shared concerns to empower people to obtain justice, affirm their dignity and gain access to resources.
The ELCA domestic hunger grants program is a part of the ELCA World Hunger Program.
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Information about ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants is at http://www.ELCA.org/grantinghope on the ELCA Web site.
Grant applications for 2008 will be available July 13 at http://www.ELCA.org/grantinghope/apply/ and are due Oct. 1, 2007.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog