For more than 30 years, the World Hunger Fund has provided a way for Brethren in Christ churches and individuals in North America to extend a “cup of cold water” to their global neighbors. The World Hunger Fund challenges us to review our lifestyles so that we can direct more resources toward hunger relief and other benevolence programs. Recognizing that the hope we have in Christ is lived out in our hope for one another, we respond with gifts that encourage and support our sisters and brothers around the world.
How World Hunger Funds are distributed
When gifts come to the World Hunger Fund without a project designation, 50 percent of the funds are forwarded to Mennonite Central Committee. The remaining 50 percent supports BIC-specific projects around the world, with the funds distributed through the International Brethren in Christ Association.
When gifts are received for a specific project (e.g. India flooding), the entirety of those gifts is forwarded to the country representative. Overhead costs associated with the World Hunger Fund are covered through Cooperative Ministries.
Giving to the World Hunger Fund
This year, gifts to the World Hunger Fund may be designated “India flooding” or “Zimbabwe.” (All non-designated gifts will be divided between work being done by the International Brethren in Chris Association and Mennonite Central Committee.)
For U.S. churches and individuals: Gifts in support of the World Hunger Fund can be made online through this website or can be mailed to the Brethren in Christ Church Offices at 431 Grantham Rd, PO Box A, Grantham, PA 17027. If giving by check, please make the check out to “General Conference Ministries” and specify “World Hunger Fund” and any further designations on the memo line.
For Canadian churches and individuals: Gifts in support of the World Hunger Fund can be made online through this website or can be mailed to the Canadian Conference of the BIC Church, 2700 Bristol Circle, Oakville, ON L6H 6E1. If giving by check, please make the check out to “BIC Canadian Conference” and specify “World Hunger Fund” and any other designations in the memo line.
2007 gifts to the World Hunger Fund
In 2007, $117,077 was received at the General Church Offices from congregations, conferences, and individuals for the World Hunger Fund. The gifts were distributed or designated as follows:
- $18,529 to Mennonite Central Committee
- $58,725 to India for relief work in follow up to flooding
- $5,000 to Zimbabwe for the purchase and distribution of seed
- $11,853 received for relief work in Zimbabwe (to be distributed in 2008)
- $7,000 to Nepal for relief work in follow up to flooding
- $7,000 to Zambia for the purchase and distribution of seed
- $7,000 to Malawi and Mozambique for food distribution
- $1,970 to Nicaragua for the purchase and distribution of seed
For U.S. churches and individuals: Gifts in support of the World Hunger Fund can be mailed to the Brethren in Christ Church Offices in Grantham, PA (Box A) or online through this website. If giving by check, please mark World Hunger Fund on the memo line of the check. Gifts can also be made online at this website.
For Canadian churches and individuals: Checks should be made out to the “BIC Canadian Conference” directly to the Canadian Conference of the BIC Church, 2700 Bristol Circle, Oakville, ON L6H 6E1. Please specify “World Hunger Fund.”
photo by Matthew Lester, MCC
