Anti-Hunger Ministry

One in ten people in the world are hungry. One in thirteen people in Iowa are facing hunger. As Iowans with some of the richest soil in the world, our communities care about hunger. As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. Congregations and ministries across our synod run local food pantries, fill shopping carts for larger food banks, join ecumenical neighbors to feed people, offer free meals, have clothing closets, and grow food on church property. We are a synod that fights hunger.

Recent Anti-Hunger Highlights:

• During the summer of 2023, the three Iowa Bishops rode RAGBRAI and together with the members and congregation in Iowa raised more than $50,000 to fight hunger. Learn more about this campaign

• Highlighting 50 anti-hunger ministries across the state of Iowa during the Summer and Fall of 2023

Advocacy

As people who have been freed in Christ, we are called to serve those around us. We are also residents of the United States and have a responsibility to engage our democracy. We are called to pay attention to issues, pray, engage with civil matters, and find ways to serve our neighbors through our role as participants in our local, state, and federal governments and laws. The ELCA social message “Government and Civic Engagement in the United States: Discipleship in a Democracy” provides a call for Lutherans to participate in the civil discourse, participate in governance, and speak up for others and ourselves when laws are unjust or governance does not serve others. ELCA advocacy is our church’s ministry to work for changes in public policy based on the experiences of our members, Lutheran ministries, and projects both in the United States and around the world. Learn more about ELCA Advocacy, sign up for alerts about legislation, and learn more about issues that affect you and your neighbors.

Called to be Political (Resources from Women of the ELCA)

Members of the Southeastern Iowa Synod often engage in advocacy. Once a year Lutherans from across the state join our ministry partner Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) at the Iowa State Capitol for Lutheran Day on the Hill to advocate for state legislation that affects the ministry of LSI. Members of our synod engage when local, county, and state issues affect our neighbors and often write letters, contact their elected officials, speak up, and more when they are called to act. To learn more and get involved in advocacy efforts with other Lutherans in Southeastern Iowa, contact Val Harlynn.