1. Direct Relief. More than 460 million people in the world suffer from severe protein-energy malnutrition. While malnutrition and starvation affect more people in developing countries, hunger also stalks the poor in the United States. As Christians we demonstrate our love for sisters and brothers by supporting programs which ensure that food is available to those in need while also working on longer-term solutions.

PHP Grants support food pantries and soup kitchens, communal feeding programs and homeless feeding programs.

Program Examples

Nebraska
Lincoln Interfaith Council, Emergency Food Pantries System, Lincoln Food
Support and coordination for 12 congregation-based food pantries.

Maryland
FoodLink, Inc., Wholesale Produce Reclamation, Annapolis Produce
Reclamation project providing fruits and vegetables to food distribution programs.

New Jersey
Friends of Jean Webster, Inc., Jean Webster's Kitchen, Brigantine
Hot meal program for homeless and low-income Atlantic City residents.

Colorado
Action Against Hunger and Malnutrition, Emergency Food Assistance, Alamosa
Food distribution program for migrant farmworkers and other low-income residents.

National
The Presbyterian Network to End Homelessness

2. Development Assistance. Acknowledging that we have much to learn from sisters and brothers, PHP encourages and supports land ownership by the poor, appropriate agricultural technology, rural community development, cooperative economic development, effective soil conservation, water resource development, equitable food distribution, community organizing, and nutrition education.

PHP grants support food cooperatives, job training, agricultural development, micro enterprise and micro credit, community organizing, nutrition education and water projects.

Program Examples

Eritrea
Water and Soil Conservation Program, Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission
Construction of small earth dams to retain water, reforestation and terracing activities.

Bolivia
Vegetable Production Under Cover with the Participation of Women in Agriculture, Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en Bolivia
Construction of family greenhouses for vegetable production in the community of Humanata.

Bangladesh
Sustainable Development Programme for Women and Children, Palli Mongal Karmosuchi - Meaning Rural Welfare Programme
Creation of tree nurseries and reforestation program as income-generating activity for women.

Puerto Rico
Producir, Inc., Reducing Welfare Dependency, Canovanas Business
Incubator for hydroponic farmers and low-income merchants in poor mountain community.

Alabama
First Light: Mission Center of First Presbyterian Church, Birmingham
Job training project in a center providing shelter, food, hospitality, and nurture for homeless women and children.

3. Influencing Public Policy. PHP recognizes that Presbyterians must stand for justice in those arenas where the voices of the poor are not heard. It supports organizations and coalitions which advocate for public policies that provide food for poor and hungry people and empower their self-development.

PHP grants and partnerships support advocacy for child nutrition programs, welfare reform that provides real opportunity, foreign aid directed toward the needs of the poor, sustainable agricultural practices and the survival of family farms, trade policies which protect the most vulnerable and debt relief for the poorest nations.

Program Examples

Missouri
Missourians for Tax Justice, St. Louis
Successful campaign to repeal state sales tax on groceries.

Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Unemployment Project, Job Creation in Light of Welfare Reform, Philadelphia
Advocacy for a program of public service employment for those leaving welfare.

National
Association for Children for Enforcement of Support, Targeted Hunger Outreach Program, Toledo, Ohio National organization with local chapters working to reduce childhood hunger by helping parents receive support payments.

Global
Bread for the World, Washington, D.C.
National Christian citizens' lobby whose 44,000 members lift up the needs of hungry people to the U.S. Congress and adminstration and International Monetary Organizations.

4. Lifestyle Integrity. How we live our individual and family lives is a very personal matter, but it also has global implications. In this world where some go hungry because other consume too much, PHP encourages families, church groups, and institutions to evaluate their own needs and develop new ways of being more caring and sharing of the world's resources in obedience to the Gospel.

PHP provides resources for simpler lifestyles, simpler observance of Christmas, spiritual development and sharing resources.

Program Examples

Arizona
WHEAT: World Hunger Education Arizona Taskforce, Equipping, Enabling, Empowering the Faith Community Around Hunger Issues, Phoenix
Training and empowering people of faith to be involved in anti-hunger activities.

Virginia
Society of St. Andrew, Harvest of Hope, Big Island
Hunger and lifestyle education through gleaning retreats.

National
Alternatives for Simple Living, Sioux City, Iowa
Educational resources for simpler lifestyles and more responsible celebrations, including production of the Christmas resource "Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?"

5. Education and Interpretation. Learning about hunger and our response to it begins with the Bible. The Old Testament abounds with stories, prophecies, and psalms about God's concern for justice for those who are oppressed and about God's desire that God's people will be instruments of that justice.

Likewise, the life and teachings of Jesus in the New Testament affirm his special love and ministry for the poor, the hungry and the downtrodden. As his disciples we are called to follow him in this love and ministry.

PHP provides resources for studying these scriptures, educates the church about hunger-related issues, and shares stories from programs supported by PHP grants. Through these efforts, it nurtures the connections between Presbyterians and God's people around the world.

PHP provides funding and staff support for a national network of Hunger Action Enablers, the development of Bible study resources, educational resources for congregations, programs educating the public on the reality of hunger and education and action resources for youth.

Program Examples

California
California Council of Churches, Food and Family Advocacy Project, Sacramento Education
Resources for churches on the linkages between poverty, hunger, and public policies.

Global
Office of Global Education and Advocacy, Church World Service
Resources on global hunger and development issues.

National
"Hunger Has A Cure and We're Part of It"
PHP produced multimedia CD-ROM resource for youth.

National
PHP Hunger Ministry Help Line
A volunteer-staffed toll-free support line for Presbyterians involved in hunger ministries. For access to information, resources, and funding sources, phone 1-888-PHP-FOOD (888-747-3663).

Add this video to your Web site or blog.

Packet of information interpreting the work of the Presbyterian Hunger Program.

Order online now or by phone through Presbyterian Distribution Service at (800) 524-2612, referencing PDS #7436002315.

More about the Presbyterian Hunger Program

Through giving to the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering and year-round support of the Hunger Fund, Presbyterians provide the PHP with approximately four million dollars a year to support ministries of direct food relief, development assistance, public policy advocacy, education, and lifestyle integrity. The PHP seeks to fulfill its mission through strategic grantmaking, print and web educational and worship materials, and participatory programs that allow us to recognize and love especially the most vulnerable of our neighbors next door and across the planet.

For thirty-six years, the PHP has provided a channel through which Presbyterians can be engaged in the fight against hunger worldwide. The work of the PHP is guided by the General Assembly adopted Common Affirmation on Global Hunger.