Each year, a portion of funds received through the ELCA World Hunger Appeal is set aside and used to fight domestic hunger. Some of this work is done through the awarding of Domestic Hunger Grants to ministries and partnerships in the various synods of this church engaged in hunger and poverty work. The Commission for Church in Society reviews these grant applications with the final decision for these awards being made by ELCA Churchwide staff. For 2013, four grants totaling $9,500 were awarded to ministries within the territory of the synod. Recipients include:
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bloomfield, “Caring for Our Community with God’s Help”, to provide a community meal the last Saturday of the month, with educational and other services available. ($4,000)
Children and Family Service of Iowa, Des Moines, to provide nutritious meals, sack lunches, snacks and food boxes to victims of domestic violence. ($1,500)
Trinity Lutheran Church, to assist with a Backpack Buddies program through the Tipton Community Schools. ($2,000)
Anamosa Lunch for Youth (ALY), Anamosa, to provide to area needy and at-risk children sack lunches in the summer and weekend backpacks of nutritional, ready-to-eat foods during the school year. ($2,000)
In addition, the Commission for Church in Society applied for an “off-cycle” grant to support the LSI Refugee Community Garden project in Des Moines. $1,500 was provided to assist with this work.
Grant applications for projects for 2014 will be available sometime in May. Watch the synod’s E-News for more information regarding these dates. You can also visit the ELCA website www.elca.org/domestichungergrants to learn more about Domestic Hunger Grants and the application process.
Written by Pr. Paul Ostrem, Assistant to the Bishop
