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ABSC churches are encouraged to schedule Sunday, February 11, 2024 to promote the hunger ministries of Arkansas Baptists and Send Relief and to collect the annual Global Hunger Relief Offering. The offering will be distributed between Send Relief (75%) and ABSC Hunger Ministries (25%).
Around the world, more than enough food is produced to feed the global population but as many as 811 million people – 1 out of 9 – still go to bed on an empty stomach each night. After steadily declining for a decade, world hunger is on the rise affecting 9.9 percent of people globally. From 2019 to 2020, the number of undernourished people grew by as many as 161 million, a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
This worldwide problem has an impact in Arkansas. According to the Arkansas Food Bank, Arkansas ranks second in the nation for food security. One in five Arkansans struggle to provide enough food for their family and 23.6% of Arkansas children have limited access to adequate food. Over 17% of Arkansans are facing hunger.
Many ABSC churches serve their communities to meet the hunger need, while also using the opportunity to share the Gospel. These churches use food pantries, feeding stations, summer feeding ministry for children, weekend backpack ministries, delivering meals to seniors and homebound, and providing holiday meals.
Globally, Southern Baptists meet the hunger needs in famine or natural disasters through the ongoing ministry of Send Relief. Send Relief also focuses on long-term, sustainable solutions to end chronic hunger, such as job skills training, livestock and seed distribution, clean water, medical care and more.
Through hunger relief offerings, Arkansas Baptists financially support 25 hunger ministries throughout the state. Funds are distributed according to a formula that considers the poverty level of the county, the number of people being fed, and the Gospel witness of the ministry. A list of the ABSC supported hunger ministries can be found HERE. One-time grants are also given to assist hunger ministries throughout Arkansas.
*Collect the Arkansas World Hunger Offering, using the bulletin insert to promote. Download the bulletin insert HERE.
*Since the designated Sunday is the day of the Super Bowl, hold a “Souper Bowl Sunday,” with a soup meal for lunch, with donations being given to the Arkansas World Hunger Offering and/or a local hunger ministry.
*Host a canned food drive benefiting a local hunger ministry.
*Volunteer at a local hunger ministry’s distribution, or help organize for a future distribution.
*Partner with a local school to pay off students’ charge account for school breakfast and lunch.
*Accept donations of frozen casseroles that can be kept at the church and given to families as needs arise.
*Deliver prepared meals to senior adults.
*Organize a weekly or monthly meal at a local shelter.
*Provide weekend backpacks of food through a local school for children facing food insecurity
The ABSC Missions Team can assist churches with resources and training for Hunger Ministries. Contact Clint Ritchie at 501.376.4791, ext 5137, or critchie@absc.org.