What: $500 mini-grants for congregations to feed their neighbors in need. Fill out the brief application form, receive a grant and get to work feeding your neighbors.

Why: Our neighbors are hungry. In Matthew 14:16, in the feeding of the 5,000, we hear Jesus say to his disciples who express concern for the hungry crowd, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” We continue to hear those words today, knowing that Jesus keeps calling us not to send people away, but to feed them.

The Metro D.C. Synod has $29,000 to feed people in need in our synod. Given the current state of the world, we think now is the time to deploy that money out into our communities. We want to spark creativity within our congregations to get all of us thinking together about how we can feed our neighbors.

How: The possibilities are endless! Your church could:

• Create a “tiny pantry” in front of your church and stock it with food.
• Hold a food drive for a local food bank. Have the congregation bring in donations and supplement by purchasing donations with your funds
• Pack bags of shelf-stable groceries for federal workers impacted by the shutdown.
• Supplement your church’s current feeding ministry endeavors.

And, so many more things of which we have not yet dreamed, but you will!

Next Steps:

• Once you have applied you will be contacted to set up payment disbursement.
• After you’ve hosted your project, we want to hear from you. Provide a paragraph and photo so we can share the story of the ministry possibilities that exist when we work together.

We encourage congregations to first apply for an ELCA World Hunger's Daily Bread Grant.