Feeding 1 million people in 1 year
June 2011-June 2012
The Vision of the Upper New York Annual Conference:
To live the gospel of Jesus Christ and
to be God’s love WITH our neighbors
in ALL places.
Hunger is on the rise in Upstate New York. Nearly 15% of people living in Upstate New York do not have enough food to meet their needs. The face of hunger is growing and changing. Did you know that last year Upper New York food banks served more children and senior citizens than ever before? Neighbors around us are going hungry and need our help.
- What if together we took one year to address hunger issues in our communities, joined not by buildings, places or programs, but by heartfelt compassion for all of God’s children who are suffering from hunger?
- What if we did our own thing in our own way - in our own community, but joined our hearts in one effort?
- And what if on one day we invited the community to partner with us, shoulder to shoulder, in our fight against hunger?
We would be the church mobilized. We would be God’s hands and feet, gathered together in one accord to impact hunger.
HERE’S HOW IT CAN HAPPEN…
First, beginning June 2011 and ending June 2012: You can help us follow our progress by keeping track of the number of people fed in all programs currently in place in your church and your volunteer hours serving the hungry in the community.
Second, on Oct. 15, 2011 organize and participte in a hunger impact event. On one day, Oct. 15th, let’s work with the community, shoulder to shoulder, investing in each other to reduce hunger. Along the way, make new friends and build authentic relationships - just like Jesus did. Choose to organize:
- A monthly food drive
- A gleaning at a local farm
- A campus kitchen feeding program
- The preparation of a community garden
- A “fill-a-backpack, feed-a-family” initiative
- The sponsoring of a crop walk
You decide for your community what the greatest need is and what will make the most impact.
We can do this, if we plan now!
Here's how it works:
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EVALUATE your church’s hunger programs.
- Research your community’s greatest needs regarding hunger.
- Enlist the help of your congregation to grow your hunger programs or develop new initiatives.
- Track your progress often on Hands4NY.org. Tell us how many people you served and meals supplied throughout the year.
- Download church resources from Hands4NY.org
Be innovative! Think creatively!
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JOIN your district’s impact event effort on October 15.
- Contact your district coordinator on how you can support area projects.
- Promote the event in your congregation.
- Invite your neighbors!.
- Register to volunteer at Hands4NY.org
Through a special partnership with United Methodist Communications, advertising will be placed in strategic areas to get the word out to bring awareness of this event.
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CELEBRATE our efforts.
- Raise Your Hand for Hunger on October 15th by working side-by-side with your community.
- At the end of the day join the celebration and reflect on all you have accomplished!
- Build stronger relation-ships by inviting the community to be a part of your church’s ongoing hunger programs.
- Continue to track the number of people fed up to June 2012.
Together, we will become our conference’s vision of Being God’s people in ALL places.
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“With God holding our collective hands in Upstate New York, let’s begin this journey together to alleviate hunger in our communities.” - Bishop Marcus Matthews.
The prophecy of Isaiah made this promise, “Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” (Isaiah 58:10 NLT)
