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Diocesan
Hunger Fund Just a Buck a Month program
COME WALK WITH US! College Park, MD at Lake Artemesia, hosted by St. Mark's Fairland This is a 10K (about 6.6 mile) walk, although you may abbreviate it to 5K (about 3.3 miles), or any distance you choose! We tell you how many times to walk around the lake to cover 5K or 10K, and it's up to you and your sponsors how far you walk. The Hunger Fund needs your help, and this is a great way to raise money for the Fund. Read the Washington Window article at the link below for an idea of the current state of the Fund. Then come out in October for a nice walk in a beautiful area. Directions to the starting point are available here. So find out who your Walk coordinator is for your church, get a sponsor sheet, and get your family, friends, neighbors, etc., to sponsor your Walk. If your church does not have a Walk coordinator, contact Lee Mericle at lmericle@acm.org or 301/434-6635 (leave a message). We'd love to see you there!
What the Hunger Fund Does (top) It provides grants to programs that feed those faced with hunger and malnutrition in the geographical area of the Diocese of Washington. These grants frequently spell success to programs experiencing shortfalls. Source of Funds (top) The Hunger Fund Committee receives no funding from the diocesan budget. It is solely funded by donations from churches, many of which have continuing programs to bring donations while others have periodic special campaigns. Funds are transmitted to the diocesan Business Affairs Office as special offerings. This fund is a useful means for Christians to do their share toward alleviating hunger.
Applying for a Grant (top) All organizations must be located within the bounds of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (Washington, D.C., and the Maryland counties Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles and St. Mary's) in order to apply. Please note, these links launch a new browser window:
The Hunger Fund Committee meets the second Tuesday of every other month to review applications and disburse grants. For questions about grants, e-mail or call Sharonda Myers at 202/537-5208. How Grants are Made (top) The Hunger Fund Committee reviews grant requests and makes decisions. Its actions are monitored by the Diocesan Council. Who is on the Diocesan Hunger Fund Committee? (top) Committee members represent every region in the Diocese. See the Hunger Fund committee page for a list of members. Why Should I Be Involved? (top) In 1988 and 1999 the Diocesan Convention reaffirmed the original 1978 Hunger Resolution which "urged parishes, congregations, and missions to contribute to hunger relief by encouraging each family unit to contribute one dollar ($1.00) a month for hunger relief, by providing a regular way for the offering to be received, and by designating a hunger contact person to be a communication link between the parish, congregation, or mission, and the Diocese on matters concerning hunger." These monies are then forwarded to the Diocese for distribution. This does not preclude a parish's designating another recipient. How Can I Become Involved? (top) It's easy. Here's a recommended plan typical of ones used by a number of churches. The 3rd Sunday of each month is designated "Hunger Sunday." Envelopes marked Hunger Fund are put into pew racks. Before the offertory, the rector or vicar calls attention to the envelopes. They are received in the alms basin and their contents are counted separately. A check for the total is drawn to the Diocese of Washington and mailed with an Accounts Receivable Remittance form, indicating what amount is for the Diocesan Hunger Fund and what amount, if any, is for another named agency. Is My Help Really Needed? (top) YES. Activities that have been aided in
the past by this fund report that they now must rely more heavily than
before on the goodwill of the religious community. This is because governmental
cutbacks have reduced fund availability while the numbers of hungry and
needy people are dramatically increasing. Where Does the Money Go? (top) In 2004, nine grants in amounts from $1,000 to $5,000 were made to the organizations below: Charlie's Place - $5,000 Food and supplies for needy persons How is the Money Spent? (top) Grants are approved only when there is assurance that the funds will be used for the purpose of purchase of food. (Disposable plastic and paper products used directly in the serving of food also may be purchased.) A member of the Diocesan Hunger Fund Committee is assigned as a monitor for each grant. (top)
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