wfn.org | ELCA World Hunger Appeal Celebrates 25th Anniversary

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 4, 1999

ELCA WORLD HUNGER APPEAL CELEBRATES 25th ANNIVERSARY
99-09-50-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- For 25 years members of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) and its predecessor church bodies have saved
lives and helped communities in need achieve sustainable development
with funds from its World Hunger Appeal.
     This year congregations of the ELCA will be invited to celebrate
the 25th anniversary of the World Hunger Appeal and Program through a
resolution of "thanksgiving and recommitment."  Staff of the ELCA
Divisions for Congregational Ministries (DCM), Church in Society and
Global Mission drafted the resolution.
     Members of the DCM board met here Feb. 26-28 and endorsed the
resolution.  The board recommended that the ELCA Church Council
"commend" that the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopt the resolution. 
The assembly will be held Aug. 16-22 in Denver.
     The resolution calls for the church to increase its awareness of
hunger in the United States and throughout the world, to increase
financial support of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and Program through
regular contributions and designated gifts, and to thank supporters of
the appeal.
     The appeal has raised about $12 million a year from designated
offerings and gifts.
     In the winter issue of the "ELCA World Hunger Newsletter," Lita
Brusick Johnson, director for the appeal, said, "Income for the appeal
has plateaued, while needs at home and overseas could not be greater." 
She hopes the occasion of the anniversary will "spark new excitement" in
giving.
     Some ELCA congregations will mark the 25th anniversary of the
appeal by using the number 25 in "fun and effective ways" to revitalize
commitment to the appeal.  Members of the ELCA will pray, conduct
"services of recommitment" and plan activities and offerings in
celebration of the appeal from Nov. 1-25, 1999.
     Under the theme "25-in-25" congregations can put aside an extra 25
cents a day or week for a given time, contribute 25 shares of
appreciated stock, or invite youth groups to sponsor fundraisers to
collect the cost of 25 pairs of gym shoes.
     At its fall 1998 meeting, the ELCA Conference of Bishops affirmed
a goal for the church to raise $25 million in honor of the anniversary.
     The ELCA World Hunger Appeal was established at the 1987
Constituting Convention of the ELCA.  Churches that formed the ELCA
launched their World Hunger Appeals in 1974 when a famine struck in
Africa and the United States experienced a rural crisis and urban
unrest.  Since 1974 the appeals have earned more than $200 million.
     The ELCA World Hunger Program "helps people help themselves"
through emergency relief and long-term development in the United States
and abroad.
     The program works through many partners, including Lutheran World
Relief, the overseas relief and development agency working on behalf of
the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  It also works through
the Lutheran World Federation, a global communion of 124 churches in 69
countries representing more than 57 million of the world's 61 million
Lutherans.  The ELCA is a member of the LWF.
     The ELCA World Hunger Program funds relief and development
projects in the United States; provides education about the causes and
solutions to global poverty; carries out active projects in
environmental stewardship; and helps fund hunger-related advocacy work
with states and the federal government.
     For every dollar given to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal 72.5 cents
supports hunger relief and development around the world.  Another 12
cents is spent on hunger relief and development in the United States. 
Efforts to educate ELCA members about hunger issues and advocacy receive
9 cents, and 6.5 cents is allocated for administration and fundraising
expenses.
     The ELCA World Hunger Program is housed in the ELCA Division for
Church in Society, and the ELCA World Hunger Appeal is housed in the
ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries.
     

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