Feeding the Hungry Poor Abundantly with Healthy Food

“When you gather the harvest of your land, you are not to harvest to the very end of the field.  You are not to gather the gleanings of the harvest.  You are neither to strip your vine bare, nor to collect the fruit that has fallen in your vineyard.  You must leave them for the poor and the stranger:  I am Yahweh your God.”  Leviticus 19: 9-10

God was clear.  Whether the harvests were abundant or poor, His people had to share what they grew with the hungry poor.  They could not keep it all for their own families.  The poor must have access to a healthy diet of whole grains, fruit and olive oil, the same healthy foods the farmers themselves ate.  

Today as in biblical times it is important that we not only provide food for the poor, but that we provide healthy food.  To learn more about donating healthier food to food banks and soup kitchens follow this link, Donating Healthy Food to Food Banks.

Food Faith and a Field Trip

Save this date:  Saturday, October 12, 2013 for "Food Faith and a Field Trip" hunger education workshop.  It will be held at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Davis, CA.  More information to follow.  Questions, contact Edie Lott at thelotts@gmail.com.

We Can Do It: Changing the World One Mosquito Net and Hungry Child at a Time

Save this date:

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Davis, CA

9:30 to 3:00

Presented by the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger Network

Hear about the ELCA Malaria Campaign and the difference it is making in Africa, where a child dies every 45 seconds from Malaria.  Learn how to get  your congregation involved from inspiring speakers Rev. Howie and Mary Wennes.  

Richard and Linda Knapp will share stories from their recent trip to view and experience the ELCA Hunger Program’s life saving work in Haiti. 

Rev. Tita Valeriano, will call us to action through a thought provoking Bible Study.

An optional social hour will follow.  Timing of speakers will allow AMTRAK California transportation.  Cost for the day, including lunch, is $10.00.  If you are a congregational hunger contact or a seminarian, there is no charge.  You will walk away inspired, changed, and alive with ideas to implement and resources to share!  If you have questions contact Edie Lott at thelotts@gmail.com or (530) 582-5362.

Click here for a registration flyer.

ELCA Hunger Appeal Giving Is Down!!!

You can help raise money for and awareness about ELCA World Hunger!  Hold an offering in your congregation now! For information and resources go to http://elca.org/hunger.  For a speaker in the Sierra Pacific Synod email thelotts@gmail.com.

Congregation Connections

Looking for ideas to promote the ELCA Hunger Appeal in your congregation? By clicking on this link to Congregation Connections you can access many ideas and ways to expand your hunger ministry.

Have An Asante Network Sale at Your Church!

ASANTE means Thank you in Swahili

There is an adage that goes something like this: “If you want to make someone independent, don’t just give her a fish; teach her how to fish.” The Asante Network knows of women in Tanzania and Uganda who have not only learned how to fish, but have nets, already filled with fish. The “fish” in their nets are hand-woven baskets, beautiful textile products and other unique crafts. These women aren’t asking for a handout. However, they do need a helping hand. What they have need of is someone willing to find and develop a market in which they can sell their products.

Asante Network began in 2002 when members of the Sierra Pacific Synod Hunger Committee and speakers for Stand with Africa project were led in God’s mysterious way to the Women’s Groups in Uganda and later in Tanzania. In 2005 Asante Network applied for and received 501 (3) c status. In 2007 Fair Trade status was received through the Fair Trade Federation.

Beautiful and well-made baskets, batik and tye-dyed textiles (clothing, tablecloths, bedcovers, and wall hangings,) and hand-carved crafts are purchased directly by Asante Network from the Miichi Women’s Group in Tanzania and NEEPU Women’s Group in Uganda. The money the women receive help them to feed their families, to send their children to school, to support their church and to support AIDS orphans. Additional funds raised help to build classrooms, provide scholarships, books and tools.

Volunteers love to speak to church groups to tell the stories of our sisters and brothers in Africa and how our work with them has changed our lives. Kathy and Stan Booker from Alameda and Pat Daily from Pleasant Hill travel to various churches to set up an African Bazaar and give presentations in their effort to help end hunger.

You can help too by contacting one of the volunteers to schedule an Asante Network Arts and Craft Fair and presentation at your church for a Mission Sunday, Women’s Luncheon, Mother/Daughter Lunch, Black History Event, Alternate Christmas Fair or just to support our work in helping empty the women’s “nets” in Tanzania and Uganda so that they continue to be self-supporting. This work really makes a difference in these women’s lives and in our lives.

Click on this link to go to their website: Asante Network

Kathy and Stan Booker Pat Daily
kbooker817@comcast.net  patwirgdaily@gmail.com

Hold an ELCA Hunger Appeal Offering Soon!

Gifts to the ELCA Hunger Appeal are one of the most effective ways your congregation can fight hunger around the globe. You can order many wonderful resources to use in your congregation, and they are all free! Check them out at this website link. http://www.elca.org/hunger/resources/top40.html