Title: ELCA Hunger Appeal Slightly Short ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF April 7, 1997 ELCA HUNGER APPEAL SLIGHTLY SHORT "We almost made it -- $11,814,023 toward a $12 million budget goal," said the Rev. Roger O. Livdahl in a memo to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's World Hunger Appeal network. Livdahl is director of the appeal. "Congregational giving to the appeal, the most important giving category, was down $400,000 from 1995 and $200,000 from 1994," said the Rev. John L. Halvorson, ELCA director for world hunger ministries. "The success of the hunger appeal over the years has been based largely on the premise that the appeal belongs to the ELCA's congregations and synods," said Halvorson. Bequest contributions totaled $378,496, almost $200,000 more than budgeted. Livdahl reported "a serious decline in domestic disaster proceeds despite the dramatic increase in disasters the past year." Domestic disaster proceeds totaled $911,234 for 1996 -- $262,990 less than 1995. "International disaster receipts were about $364,000 -- $26,000 more than 1995," said Livdahl. "Because of the $1.2 million reserve established at the beginning of 1996, we have been able to pay all of our commitments to our international and domestic partners," said Livdahl. For information contact: Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html