Feeding Ministries Guide from ELCA World Hunger
Providing food to hungry people is one of the oldest social ministries within Christianity. The Bible is filled with stories of those who hunger being fed, from the Hebrews wandering in the desert to the 5,000 people fed by the miracle of the loaves and fish. One of the earliest challenges faced by the early church, in fact, was how to fairly manage the “daily distribution” of food (Acts 6:1-6). Indeed, the sacred texts of many religions include directives to feed those who hunger:
Buddhism – “If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving and sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of selfishness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared, if there were someone to receive their gift” (Itivuttaka 26; trans. Thanissaro Bhikkhu).
Hinduism – “I (God) abandon that person who eats before sharing his food with others. But I never forsake that person who gives food to the hungry before eating himself. I am the Lord of all food. I take away the food of him who eats without giving; and I nurture and give food in plenty to that person who considers giving food as important as feeding himself” (Yajurveda Taittiriya Brahmana 2.8.8.3, trans. Vishal Agarwal).
Islam – “[The righteous] are the ones who fulfill their vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. They feed the needy, the orphan, and the prisoner, for the love of Him. [Saying], ‘We feed you for the sake of God. We want neither compensation, nor gratitude from you’” (The Quran, Sula 76:6-8, trans. Safi Kaskas).
Judaism – “When you are asked in the world to come, ‘What was your work?’ and you answer: ‘I fed the hungry,’ you will be told: ‘This is the gate of the Lord, enter into it, you who have fed the hungry’” (Midrash to Psalm 118:17).
Local responses to hunger take many forms. The most common might be the food pantry, but congregations and partners also host community meals, mobile food delivery, soup kitchens and more. This guide will primarily focus on food pantries, but many of the tips included here will be useful in a variety of feeding ministries.
If you are interested in starting a feeding ministry, this guide will provide tips and strategies for planning, sourcing food, engaging volunteers and much more. If you are part of an existing feeding ministry, you will find ideas for growing, expanding or reimagining the work you are already doing. The appendix includes sample surveys, shopping lists for choice pantries and information about funding opportunities for ELCA ministries.
As a ministry of this church, ELCA World Hunger accompanies people around the world, including here in the U.S. If you are interested in starting or growing a ministry, please reach out to ELCA World Hunger by emailing Hunger@ELCA.org. They would love to hear from you and to accompany you in the work God is doing to build a just world where all are fed.