ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 18, 2007  

ELCA World Hunger Program Distributes Funds to Reduce Domestic Hunger
07-059-BMC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) --The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
World Hunger Program awarded $913,300 in 360 grants to churches
and organizations in the United States that provide services and
programs for people who are hungry or living in poverty.
     "We're doing a lot with a little," said Joe Young, director
for community development services, ELCA Church in Society.
Grants from $750 to $7,500 were awarded to local organizations
because "they're doing good work for a population that might
otherwise be overlooked," Young said.
     The $913,300 awarded in 2007 represents an 18 percent
increase over last year's total. Young estimated that 460
organizations requested $3 million, and 55 percent of those
requests were from organizations that had never requested
domestic hunger grants.
     Lump-sum disbursements were processed in mid-April and
will be mailed to grant recipients by May. Priority for awarding
grants was given to people with the greatest need, and women and
children living in poverty.
     "We can't do this without the dollars and the time of
men and women in the pews. It makes you feel proud" to be a
member of the ELCA, said Young.
     This is Young's third year of directing the domestic
hunger grant process along with Johnnie Thompson, domestic hunger
grant administrator, ELCA Church in Society. "What I really like
about this process is that it has transparency that comes from
having such a diverse group of people at the table," said Young.
He praised the expertise, competence and understanding of the 15
members of the grants committee and their willingness to give
organizations "every benefit of the doubt" when considering
applications.
     The grants committee met for three days in March to
review each application. "I was glad to be there. It was very
helpful to see the process unfold," said new committee member
Dory Campbell, who added that the process is also stressful.
"(Applicants) are doing such good work. They deserve the money
they're asking for, but we just can't give it (to all applicants)
because we don't have enough money" to meet all the needs, said
Campbell, who is coordinator for the Evangelical Lutheran
Coalition for Mission in Appalachia (ELCMA), Indiana, Pa.
     The committee is composed of 13 ELCA churchwide staff
members, one member from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
based in Baltimore, Md., and Campbell.
     Bob Sitze, director for hunger education, ELCA Church
in Society, said the process connects local congregations to the
wider church. "How would this all happen if we weren't
connected?" He added that the grants "give access to those who
don't have access" to food, jobs and a network of agencies and
social ministry organizations.
     Applicants are asked to provide endorsement letters
from a Lutheran agency, congregation or leader. "Establishing a
Lutheran connection is preferred. It shows a deeper connection.
We're insisting on passion, motivation and involvement by members
of congregations, and that becomes leverage for our work in
congregations," said Sitze.
     Campbell agreed. "You cannot do this (kind of work) in
isolation and do it well for very long," she said.
     Organizations applying for grants must have a 501(c)3
nonprofit status, a board that reflects the constituency they
serve and staff members to achieve the desired goals. Projects
must fit into one of three categories -- relief, development or
organizing -- and the applicant must show that the project is
sustainable and meets needs effectively.
     Relief grants account for two-thirds of the 2007
awards. Grants totaling $592,100 were allocated to 252 relief
programs that provide people immediate access to food, shelter,
clothing, medical supplies and care.
     Development grants totaling $162,450 were awarded to 58
programs that provide increased access to food and sustainable
livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, technology, housing,
jobs, primary health care, disease prevention, job training,
child care, elder care, nutrition education, literacy training,
sanitation, safe water supplies, below-market loans or just land
use and distribution, according to the grant description.
     Community organizing grants totaling $158,750 were
allocated to 50 programs that bring together people with common
values, complementary interests, and shared concerns to empower
people to obtain justice, affirm their dignity and gain access to
resources.
     The ELCA domestic hunger grants program is a part of
the ELCA World Hunger Program.
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     Information about ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants is at
http://www.ELCA.org/grantinghope on the ELCA Web site.

     Grant applications for 2008 will be available July 13 at
http://www.ELCA.org/grantinghope/apply/ and are due Oct. 1, 2007.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
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