NEWS FROM
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
November 10, 2005
For more information contact Emily Sollie at esollie@lwr.org or 410-230-2802.
In this news release:
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Lutheran World Relief Reaches $1 Million In Support From Foods Resource Bank
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF REACHES $1 MILLION IN SUPPORT FROM FOODS RESOURCE BANK
Baltimore, November 10, 2005 — Lutheran World Relief recently surpassed the $1 million mark in support from Foods Resource Bank, a U.S.-based humanitarian agency with an ingenious system for supporting sustainable food security in the developing world.
“We are extraordinarily grateful to FRB and the many ecumenical and community growing projects for their ongoing support,” said LWR president Kathryn Wolford. “Ending hunger requires much more than just giving out food. With FRB’s support, we are able to reach people all over the world to teach them skills that help break the cycle of hunger and poverty.”
The FRB model provides a unique way for American farmers, agribusinesses, churches and community groups to raise money for finding solutions to global hunger. FRB Growing Projects bring together these groups to work together to farm rented or donated land for one year with donated or reduced-price agricultural products and services and volunteer labor.
When the Growing Project crop is harvested and sold, FRB donates the proceeds to Christian aid agencies like LWR, which help implement programs overseas that address food security and nutrition issues. These programs fight hunger by teaching people to provide for themselves through things like improved farming practices, increased access to water, and veterinary care for livestock -- giving people a feeling of pride in having helped themselves.
“LWR and their in-country partner organizations have implemented some outstanding programs to help people get a foothold, feed themselves and build a better future,” said Marv Baldwin, president of FRB. “Our U.S. community growing projects raise awareness and money knowing they can count on our members like LWR to be caring and effective with the proceeds.”
LWR’s FRB-supported projects literally transform lives, like that of Ugandan farmer Fatuma Katumba, a 40-year old mother of 11. Three years ago Fatuma was a subsistence-level farmer living in a two-room mud hut with her husband and children. She grew local maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables and beans on her one-acre farm, but her yields were low and her family consumed almost all the crops. With training in sustainable agriculture techniques from LWR’s local partner organization Voluntary Action for Development and a small loan – just $87 – from a revolving loan fund, she turned her farm into a family business that provides enough food for everyone to have a healthy, balanced diet and extra for her to sell for income. In fact, she earned enough money last year to build a new brick house that protects her family from rains and disease-carrying insects. Fatuma is also paying school fees for all 11 children, three of whom are studying at higher institutions of learning, including one at a private university!
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
