wfn.org | Lutherans Produce "The Real Deal Meal" Resource

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE NEWS BRIEF

August 8, 1997

LUTHERANS PRODUCE "THE REAL MEAL DEAL"

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has produced a resource, "The Real Meal Deal," that
approaches hunger issues from a new perspective.  "Amidst the dismal realities of hunger today we
have overlooked the fact that God's abundant goodness has provided enough for everyone," said
Miriam Dumke, ELCA associate director for children and family ministries.  "As Christians, we are
given the unique opportunity to sow seeds of hope and to renew a sense of commitment to sharing
the wealth," she said.  "The Real Meal Deal" is designed for high school youth.  The resource
contains Bible studies, hunger awareness activities, worship and mediational prayer journeys,
service projects and advocacy ideas, statistics and facts about hunger.  It provides a "hunger
awareness experience" that includes a "fast."  "The heart of the 'deal' is to focus on more than the
'meal.'  Hunger involves more than food.  It is a faith issue," said Dumke.  The goal of the resource is
to raise the consciousness of the participants and community about the realities of poverty and
hunger; help participants who have enough food to identify with those who do not; educate
participants about basic causes and solutions for hunger and poverty and encourage participation
in service projects and advocacy.  The resource is set to premier this fall and will be available
through Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, publishing house of the ELCA.

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