Hunger and Justice

What is Hunger and Justice Ministry?

In addition to funding relief and development projects that assist our sisters and brothers in need, we engage members of the ELCA and Northeastern Minnesota Synod in education and advocacy to help change the systems that perpetuate poverty. Through this comprehensive approach, we work to address hunger from all angles — both domestically and globally.

Bike FOR Justice–Bike AGAINST Hunger

SYNOD WIDE BIKE RIDE IS PLANNED for AUGUST 17 on the Munger Trail.  We will bike 50 mile – one mile for each of the 50 years of ELCA Hunger!  You can choose to bike all 50 or a part of the trail – whatever works for you and others you invite to join you!  Click HERE for more details and registration information.

Or, organize a bike event in your congregation or community.  Click Coordinating a Bike for Hunger for resources to organize a local bike event.

In 1974, famine in Africa and South Asia took around two million lives.  The Lutheran Churches that later became the ELCA responded with a World Hunger Appeal.  That program to work against hunger in the world has continued for fifty years.  Working together, the congregations of the ELCA make a huge difference for people struggling against hunger in our world.  The need is great, and we encourage congregations to increase their commitment to fighting both local and global hunger.

Here are ways congregations can engage their members to increase our contribution to ending hunger

Good Gifts / God’s Global Barnyard

Invite the members and friends of your congregation to read through the ELCA GOOD GIFTS Catalog, looking for items of interest that they might give a donation to and help change the world.

Here’s a link to the ELCA GOOD GIFTS catalog and other resources: CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCES | ELCA Good Gifts contains these giving ideas:

• God’s Global barnyard (give baby chicks, goats, piglets, bees, etc.)
• Support creation care and health care ministries,
• Assisting women & children, church leaders

Set a goal for your congregation to give to the ELCA World Hunger; challenge families, groups, and organizations to find ways to raise money.

Challenge the other congregations in your area, county, conferences, etc. Offer a traveling trophy to the congregation which raises the most money.

QUILT AUCTION AND MARKETPLACE

In 1999 the Northeastern Minnesota Synod began its commitment to World Hunger with “Quilts and Quarters” which raised $25,000.00 at the Synod Assembly.  Several Years later, the Marketplace was added to give non-quilters a home.  Quilters and Crafters across the synod have contributed to this silent auction at our Synod Assemblies for twenty-five years, raising over $300,000 for ELCA World Hunger.

Because Synod Assembly for 2024 was virtual there was no Quilt Auction or Marketplace.  The Marketplace and Quilt Auction will again be part of the NEMN Synod Assembly in 2025!!  We look forward to seeing all the wonderful quilts and marketplace items at Synod Assembly May 3-4, 2025 at Breezy Point.

 NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA SYNOD HUNGER FUND                  

The NEMN Synod Hunger, Justice, and Rural Life Committee has established a fund that will provide small grants to congregations and non-profit organizations within the Northeastern Minnesota Synod to address local hunger issues and to support greater engagement in hunger ministries.

Congregations and individuals are invited to designate gifts to the NEMN Synod Hunger Grant Fund (contributions to this fund will be included for the Holy Cow recognitions). Once the fund has accumulated $5,000 application for grants of $100 to $1,000 will be accepted. A three-person committee appointed by the Hunger, Justice, and Rural Life Committee will evaluate and award the grants. Grants must address hunger, root causes of hunger, or advance the development of hunger ministries. Click to donate. 

ELCA DOMESTIC HUNGER GRANTS

ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants accompany congregations and their partners as they draw on the strengths of communities to address local issues such as food security, clean water, housing, job access, human rights, policy change and more. Together, these ministries are part of a comprehensive approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger.  Here is the link to learn more about how to apply for these grants for projects in your community.  ELCA Domestic Hunger Grants