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Meets the second Thursday of every odd-numbered month.
Members
S. Lee Mericle, Chair
The Rev. Norma Blackwell
Susan Dolan
William MacKaye
Cheryl Maxwell
The Rev. David S. Pollock
Keith Powell
The Rev. Eric Shoemaker
Church House Staff Contact
Kim Sanders
The report below represents the Annual Report for
2007, presented to Council at the January 2008 Diocesan Convention and printed
in the 2008 Journal and Directory.
Diocese of Washington
REPORT OF THE DIOCESAN HUNGER FUND COMMITTEE
The Diocesan Hunger Fund Committee oversees the disbursement of grants from the Diocesan Hunger Fund. Specifically, grants are provided to programs that feed those faced with hunger and malnutrition in the Diocese of Washington.
In 2007 grants ranged from $2,000 to $5,100, and were awarded to the following programs and organizations. Note that some organizations received 2 grants over the course of the year.
$ 3,500 Kwanza Kitchen, St. George’s, Washington DC
$ 5,100 Wayside Food Bank, Christ Church, Wayside
$ 8,000 Joe’s Place, Christ Church, Durham Parish, Maryland
$ 2,000 Charlie’s Place, St. Margaret’s, Washington, DC
$ 6,000 Loaves and Fishes, St. Stephen and the Incarnation, DC
$ 2,100 Street Church, Church of the Epiphany, Washington, DC
$ 5,000 Food Pantry, Christ Church, Port Tobacco, Maryland
$ 2,000 First National Baptist Church of SE, Washington, DC
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$33,700 Total grants
It should be noted that in quite a few cases, the amount granted to these very deserving programs and organizations was less that the amount requested. This was due to a lack of sufficient funds to fulfill the needs presented to us. This was not the case at our last meeting of the year, in November, due to a significant number of donations in memory of Bill Blevins, but we expect the shortage of funds to occur again in 2008.
The Committee mourned the loss of Commander William D. Blevins, founding member of the Hunger Fund, in September. Bill worked hard to establish and guide the Fund and the Committee, and we are permanently in his debt. A resolution in his honor will be offered jointly by the Hunger Fund Committee and St. Mary Magdalene’s congregation at the 2008 convention.
The Committee members serving in 2007 were the Reverend Norma Blackwell, Ms. Susan Dolan, Ms. Marie-Thérèse Giordani, Mr. William MacKaye, Ms. Cheryl Maxwell, Ms. Lee Mericle (chair), Mr. Keith D. Powell, and the Reverend Eric Shoemaker.
The Committee continues to struggle with the issue of funding. The online donation capability was set up for the Fund by Diocesan staff (thank you!). It has generated a little income, but could probably generate more with the right visibility.
The 27th annual Walk for the Hungry was held on Sunday, October 14. This year there were actually 2 walks held: one at Lake Artemesia in College Park, hosted by St. Mark’s, Fairland; and one at Smallwood Park in Marbury (Maryland), hosted by Christ Church, Port Tobacco. Having a separate walk in Region 6 made it possible for more people from that area to participate in the Walk. 6 churches were represented by 55 walkers at the College Park walk and 2 churches were represented by 35 walkers at the Smallwood Park walk. The Committee expects to receive about $3,500 from the Walk, when all pledges have been gathered by participating churches and sent in. The Committee is grateful to St. Mark’s and Christ Church for all their hard work and to all walkers and other participants.
In 2008 the Committee plans to continue working to make all members of the Diocese aware of the ever-increasing gap between the Fund’s resources and the requests of organizations that desperately need our help in their work to feed the hungry. We will be continuing to look for ways to increase giving to the Fund by all parishes in and members of the Diocese.
We pray for your grace as we continue our mission.
Respectfully submitted,
Ms. Lee Mericle, Chair
Last Updated: 03/02/09
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