Are you interested in working to alleviate hunger in Arizona? Your voice matters! If you have experience or interest in working with hunger advocates to strategize for the 2023 legislative session in Arizona, now is the time to make a difference.

Apply by July 31, 2022! Manna Grants are intended to support new and continuing projects in the Grand Canyon Synod that work to alleviate hunger and address the root causes of hunger, and which demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in leadership and decision-making.

Hunger advocates from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. on June 6-7 for the 2022 Bread for the World Advocacy Summit. LAMA director Solveig Muus joined colleagues for the two days of worship, training, strategy, fellowship and advocacy on Capitol Hill. And signtseeing.

The Vitalyst Health Foundation announced on Friday that Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) and its Arizona Hunger Policy Workgroup partners was awarded a 2022 SPARK Grant. The $20,000 grant was one of eleven SPARK Grants awarded by Vitalyst this year.

Faith Leaders Sign On by Friday, May 20: If Congress were to make the current $2,000 Child Tax Credit fully refundable and available to all low-income families, the number of children experiencing poverty would fall by an estimated 20 percent.

We once thought big about hunger. Can we do it again? Opinion by E. J. Dionne of The Washington Post.

Approved participants invite their congregation, networks and friends to donate to their hunger program; then, to kickstart campaigns, the funds raised are matched by ELCA World Hunger with a grant of $500. 

Urge U.S. Reps Tom O’Halleran (LD 1), Paul Gosar (LD 4), Andy Biggs (LD 5), David Schweikert (LD 6) and Debbie Lesko (LD 8) to cosponsor H.R.4693. Reps Kirkpatrick (LD 2), Grijalva (LD 3), Gallego (LD 7) and Stanton (LD 9) have already signed on. Urge Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema to cosponsor S.2956.

Are you interested in hosting a letter-writing campaign in your congregation? Bread for the World offers a powerful tool to organize letter-writing events to end hunger through advocacy.

If you are interested in representing the Grand Canyon Synod at the ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering in August, please contact Solveig at director@lamaz.org or the synod office by May 1.

Arizona Food Bank Network (AzFBN) and its member food banks hosted Food Bank Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 10. Two initiatives took center stage: HB2060, the bill AzFBN and supporters promoted to remove barriers to SNAP access for people re-entering society; and Friends of the Farm, Arizona's farm-to-food-bank program supporting local growers and food insecure Arizonans. 

COMING SOON: Join ELCA World Hunger’s Global Farm Challenge, a youth-focused, whole-church campaign to accompany our neighbors who are facing threats of hunger and poverty around the world.

“We couldn’t survive without our grants… they’re the most fantastic thing in the world!” ELCA World Hunger announced recently that two ministries in the Grand Canyon Synod received Domestic Hunger Grants in 2022: Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix and Native American Urban Ministry, also in Phoenix.

Registration for ELCA World Hunger’s 2023 Domestic Hunger Grants opens on March 18. Could your organization be one to receive funding for your hunger ministry this year?

This five-week educational series uncovers how our Lutheran faith shapes our perspective and role in the economy. Each week looks at one key aspect of the economy and explores questions related to economic justice. ELCA World Hunger.

Youth Gathering cancelled? Try this popular overnight youth program program that brings youth together in the spiritual practice of fasting. Youth are given the chance to reflect on the role they play in God’s work to reconcile, heal and restore the world — and our church.

RTS ALERT: HB2060 ~ Food Assistance Reduces Recidivism & Helps Families

Learn about health at the “Tree of Healing,” ELCA World Hunger’s new Vacation Bible School program for 2022. Through skits, stories and activities, participants will learn what it means to be healthy in body, mind and spirit. This program includes sessions on grief, mental wellness, environmental health and more. The leader’s guide will offer suggestions for in-person and online activities for children of all ages, including new videos for 2022.