HUNGER MINISTRIES

According to Feeding America, in 2014 nearly 1.8 million New Englanders struggled with food insecurity, not knowing where their next meal would come from. Of these, more than 500,000 were children. God has led numerous churches around New England to respond to start feeding ministries in order to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the hungry. The BCNE helps support five specific hunger ministries through national funds from the North American Mission Board and Global Hunger Relief. 

Starting a Hunger Ministry

The BCNE is ready to equip member churches interested in starting a solid, sustainable feeding ministry. We offer assessments, consultations and training, and we may be able to partner with you through a one-time start-up stipend of $500. Contact Tim Buehner for more information. 

1. If you feel God leading your group to start a local feeding ministry, the first step is to identify the hunger needs of the community. This will help you decide on the scope of your task. 
2. Find out if any other organizations are already servicing the hunger needs of your community. Many times local churches can cooperate to serve needs more effectively.
3. Learn about food banks. Salvageable food can be purchased at food banks at an inexpensive per-pound price.
4. Learn about availability of surplus food commodities. Contact your local Human Services Department.
5. Utilize this Hunger Ministry Guide or request a Simple Start Guide from the North American Mission Board.
6. Identify your resources. Can Sunday School classes, small groups or other ministry or mission groups provide volunteers, food supplies, financial help or other contributions?
7. Determine the type of ministry -- hunger ministries can take the form of food pantries, soup kitchens, sack lunches, bags of grocieries, food program worship services, food drives or vouchers for purchasing meals or groceries.
8. Consider how you will share Christ through your ministry. In 2014 Baptist hunger ministries in North America reported 21,000 professions of faith. Don't let the opportunity pass to meet spiritual needs, as well as physical needs.
9. Determine your policies. Will you distribute daily, weekly or twice a month? What kind of follow-up ministry will you have? What about record-keeping and reporting? Who will be responsible for specific tasks?

Supporting a Hunger Ministry

Southern Baptists have continually responded to hunger issues in the United States by cooperative contributions. If you are interested in making a donation, you have several options:

• Contact Tim Buehner about supporting a hunger ministry at a BCNE church.
• North American Mission Board: 100% of donations are distributed through North America.
• Global Hunger Relief: 20% supports domestic hunger relief through the North American Mission Board, and 80% supports overseas hunger ministries with the International Mission Board.