2007 World Conference Legislation

H-4 World Hunger Committee Report

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
Since 1979, when it was first established by World Conference action (WCR 1148), the World Hunger Committee has been making grants to recipients engaged in assisting the hungry throughout the world. We are pleased to report that as of March 2007 we have passed the ten-million-dollar mark in total disbursements to church jurisdictions, agencies, and other organizations seeking to alleviate the effects of hunger, educate about hunger issues, and advocate for the hungry. This remarkable accomplishment has been made possible through the generous donations of Community of Christ members and friends, and we are extremely grateful for such an outpouring of loving concern.

The committee meets twice a year, in March and October, to consider grant proposals. Almost from its inception, the committee has granted the majority (approximately 75 to 80 percent) of funds to two organizations: Outreach International and World Accord. Both have historical ties to Community of Christ and are engaged in projects that promote the concept of participatory human development. Although many of these projects are wide ranging and often involve large, multifaceted community development initiatives, the committee makes every effort to assure that the proposals submitted to it address the hunger-related portions of the projects. These can be as varied as establishing family garden plots, introducing sustainable farming practices, installing pure water sources, providing food for school children, and many others. For calendar years 2004, 2005, and 2006, Outreach International received US$690,400 and World Accord, US$702,302.
In addition to proposals from Outreach International and World Accord, the committee also considers direct proposals from congregations or other jurisdictions of the church. These can be projects that sponsor or are associated with community pantries, shelters that have a feeding program as one of their services, or others that are directed at assisting the hungry. Since January 2004, US$67,250 has been granted in this category.

Another aspect of the committee’s work that has been especially significant in the last three years is related to disaster relief. The tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia in December 2004 called forth a worldwide response of almost unprecedented proportion. As part of that response, our church donated almost a million dollars to the Oblation and World Hunger Funds in the aftermath of this disaster. Of that amount, $155,035 was given to various agencies from the World Hunger Fund for relief of the tsunami victims. In late summer of 2005, two devastating hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast of the United States. Again the church responded generously to the Oblation and World Hunger Funds and, of the amount received, $80,000 was disbursed for hunger-related aspects of hurricane relief. In addition, drought and flood relief in Kenya, Haiti, and Malawi were provided in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

One concern expressed in the resolution that originally established the World Hunger Committee had to do with advocacy in behalf of the hungry. Over the years, the committee has sought to address this portion of its mission through support of Bread for the World, a Christian advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. The committee has granted $25,000 a year to the general advocacy activities of this organization. In addition, it has been a $10,000-a-year sponsor of Bread for the World Institute’s publication, Hunger. One of Bread for the World’s major emphases for congregations is “An Offering of Letters,” designed to encourage members to write their senators and representatives in the U. S. Congress about supporting hunger-related legislation, both in the U. S. and throughout the world. The World Hunger Committee supports this initiative and encourages congregations to participate.

The committee is pleased to see the amount given to the World Hunger Fund steadily increasing from year to year. We feel this reflects not only the concern of members and friends of the church to the plight of the poor and hungry throughout the world, but also the regular designation of offerings to the fund and the effect of the twice a year World Hunger Day emphasis. Congregations are encouraged to continue to use Worship Resources, oblation stories, and bulletin back covers in worship planning to help highlight the first Sundays in March and September as times of special emphasis on hunger issues.

The World Hunger Committee wishes to keep the membership well informed about its activities. Periodic articles in the Herald and the 10-Minute News report on donations and various grants. Perhaps the most helpful way to learn about the committee’s work and what it offers is by means of the World Hunger Web page on the Community of Christ Web site. Much information is included, such as news about donations, areas of the world where the fund is active, ways for congregations and jurisdictions to become involved in hunger projects, grant-writing helps and links to other hunger-related organizations and agencies. Although such items as the World Conference report are helpful, people with Internet access are encouraged to utilize the Web site (www.CofChrist.org/hunger  ) to become thoroughly informed about the committee and its work.

It has been over twenty-seven years since the World Hunger Fund was established. As mentioned above, in that time period, more than $10 million has been distributed to ease the suffering in the world caused by chronic and unrelenting hunger. Much has been accomplished and many have been helped. But the problems of maldistribution, diversion of resources, wars, natural disasters, and human greed all continue to produce poverty and its related plagues: hunger and disease. In the midst of such challenges, the World Hunger Committee continues to hold out hope to the many thousands being reached through the programs and organizations it supports. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve in this needed area of ministry and pray that we will be guided by the Spirit of Christ in all our decisions.

World Hunger Committee
Pamela K. Byrn
James C. Cable
Carol C. Campbell
Joyce Carter
Todd Elkins
Lucretia Hawley
Edward D. Martin
Greg Prymak
Kenneth A. Schnell
Carman Thompson
Wallace B. Smith, chai
Marilyn D. Turner
Brenda Williams (consultant for grant writing)