NASHVILLE (BP) -- It doesn't take a lot of money to make a difference for hungry people in North America.
For example:
-- $20 provides five children food for a week at the GUM Drop backpack ministry in southern Illinois.
-- $50 will feed 250 homeless people in New York City at soup kitchens and sack lunch distributions.
-- $60 will provide food for a family for two weeks in the coal mining communities of Kentucky.
-- $75 will feed 400 migrant workers, through the "Feeding Those Who Feed Us" hunger ministry in California.
-- $100 will feed 500 meals to the homeless in Las Vegas.
According to statistics collected by the North American Mission Board, hunger is a reality for more than 49 million Americans. That's one of every six Americans and one in every four American children.
Only the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund uses 100 percent of all contributions to feed hungry people. Personnel already are in place, supported by the Cooperative Program, so administrative and promotional costs are covered by other budgets.
Twenty cents of every dollar given to the hunger fund is sent to the North American Mission Board to support hunger projects in the United States and Canada.
Eighty cents of every dollar is sent to the International Mission Board for direct hunger ministry as well as water well drilling, agricultural education and water purification.
When Southern Baptists give food, they are there for the long haul, desiring to plant churches and make disciples for Jesus Christ. The goal is to build relationships with people and eventually lead them to a relationship with Christ.
The Good News of salvation through Christ is always foundational. Whenever possible, the plan of salvation is shared and an opportunity to respond is given.
In emergency situations, food aid must be given. But when possible, hunger ministries are designed to create independence from rather than dependence on food aid.
To give, designate an offering for the World Hunger Fund at a local Southern Baptist church, or online at worldhungerfund.com.
Copyright (c) 2012 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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