February 8, 2011

CHICAGO -The generous response by members and congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to a World Hunger appeal resulted in gifts of $3.3 million in December 2010, the highest ever recorded for that month.

"Thanks be to God for the outpouring of financial support for ELCA World Hunger," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. "In the month of December, ELCA members expressed our faith and gratitude to God for the birth of Christ. We gave generously so that there might be daily bread for all and together we might work to end hunger in our communities and throughout the world."

Christina Jackson-Skelton, ELCA treasurer, said strong member giving raised the ELCA World Hunger total to 90 percent of the 11-month goal, with projections to hold or improve the percentage by the close of the fiscal year. Totals for the 2010 fiscal year, which ended Jan. 31, 2011, have not been fully compiled, she said. The 2010 income budget for ELCA World Hunger is $18.7 million.

As a result, the ELCA churchwide organization fulfilled many grant commitments that had been on hold. According to the Rev. Daniel Rift, director of ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal, these included more than a dozen grants for hunger-related projects in the United States, extended work in Liberia and Southern Africa, and several projects of international partners, such as The Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, and Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore.

In November 2010, Hanson announced that gifts to ELCA World Hunger would be matched up to $250,000, thanks to a challenge grant provided by six ELCA members. At the time, giving to ELCA World Hunger was down about 20 percent for 2010. Hanson challenged ELCA members to make up the difference by the end of the year.

Rift said the ELCA's dedication to transforming the lives of people living in hunger is inspiring. "To see the response to this need, from congregations and individuals around the nation is amazing. Congregations have been hard pressed to make their own budgets while still encouraging special gifts for those who hunger," he said. Thousands of ELCA members responded to the challenge to increase giving to ELCA World Hunger, he said, an example of what the church can accomplish when members work together in "faithful common action."

"I am hoping that for many this is an opportunity for renewed dedication to the work of hunger ministries through the ELCA and an opportunity for those who were not able to respond in the last few months to be inspired to take action themselves," he added. "Even as we close the chapter on the past year, we face a whole new set of opportunities and challenges to work together as a church in the face of a hungry world."

ELCA members "have given witness that in Christ we are called to be as generous to our neighbors who hunger for food and justice as God is generous and gracious toward all of God's people," Hanson said.

Gifts for ELCA World Hunger can be contributed online at http://www.ELCA.org/hungerdonate/, or by calling 800-638-3522. Contributions may be sent by mail to ELCA World Hunger, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764.

Information about ELCA World Hunger is at http://www.ELCA.org/hunger/, on the ELCA website.

ELCA News Service