The War on Hunger: One Church’s Story

It’s all out war. People the world over are fighting for their lives. Unfortunately, 30,000 of them "lose" each day, dying from hunger-related causes. Defeat is not inevitable, however, and congregations have the power to be at the forefront in the battle against hunger.

Fairmont United Methodist Church is in the N.C. State University neighborhood at the edge of downtown Raleigh. The church has clearly heard Jesus saying, “I was hungry and you fed me.” With neighbors at West Raleigh Presbyterian, the church offers bag lunches to those who come in search of food. With dozens of other congregations in Raleigh, Fairmont UMC receives regular “durable” food offerings for Urban Ministries of Wake County where over four tons of food are distributed each week. The church’s annual Christmas Eve feast entertains residents of several of Raleigh’s facilities for homeless people, a gift to congregants and guests alike. The church also shares meals with homeless guests who stay in the building several weeks each year through the Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network.

The church has been “CROPWALKING” since the first Raleigh walks of the 1970’s. Now a 5K stroll through downtown, the CROPWALK raises funds and awareness, educating the community about world hunger as well as efforts by local agencies which are supported with 25% of each walk's proceeds. Fairmont also participates in Church World Service’s Blanket Sunday (Mother’s Day) and Tools of Hope (Father’s Day), basic tools for relief and for rebuilding lives torn by disaster.

Since 2000, Fairmont has been home to Stop Hunger Now (www.stophungernow.org). With a bare bones staff, SHN has addressed hunger in over 55 countries, putting in place over $100 million in life saving assistance. With low overhead, rapid response, and on-the-ground partners in far flung places, SHN has been able to respond quickly to the Asian tsunami, the war in Afghanistan, flooding in Mozambique, and other affected areas. Fairmont’s congregation has been supportive through several specific and ongoing campaigns and has found special life in the current “Operation Sharehouse” initiative. This hands-on endeavor invites volunteers to assemble 400 gram packets of a highly nutritious soup mix with a shelf life of at least 3 years and portability for delivery around the world. The first “Sharehouse” is in Raleigh, a second has opened in Virginia, and others are planned for Asheville, NC and Mississippi, as well as for international sites that will greatly speed disaster response. In the first year, over 1.7 million servings were prepared utilizing 4,500 community volunteers.

There is much we all can do. Any church can distribute bag lunches, host guests for church meals, walk for the hungry, or volunteer for “Operation Sharehouse.” The hungry are fed, one person at a time.

By Rev. Steve Hickle, Pastor, Fairmont United Methodist Church, member, NC Council of Churches Executive Board