Dear friends,

Christmas greetings to you and yours.

Did you see the email below? I want to make sure you received this note from the Rev. Daniel Rift about ELCA World Hunger, our church’s ministry to end hunger and poverty. Thanks to generous friends of our church, right now we have an opportunity to make our gifts go even further. This year, as so many people are facing increased hardship due to COVID-19, this is especially important.

Between now and the end of the year, every gift to ELCA World Hunger will be matched, dollar for dollar, until we reach $100,000.

If you have already made a gift toward this matching challenge, thank you. You stand shoulder to shoulder with so many others who are working to end hunger and poverty around the world in Jesus Christ’s name.

If you have not yet made a gift, please prayerfully consider supporting this important ministry today.

Thank you.

Peace and blessings,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things at your table, that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord. Amen. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 64)

Dear friend,

A young mother is laid off from her job in the restaurant industry as the pandemic hits, and the wages and tips she relies on to feed her children have vanished.

A farming family reels from the loss of a father to COVID-19. His labor provided for them, and now they’re grieving and not sure how they’ll make ends meet.

A young man who had moved far from home to find work in a factory had his employer abruptly shut its doors. With transportation shut down, he begins a long walk home without food or water.

These are just a few of the millions of hardships that people around the world have faced this year. Estimates tell us that nearly half of Americans have lost their jobs or are economically insecure, and that global hunger and poverty will increase at least 12% by the end of the year.

But you can make a difference. And right now, your gifts can go twice as far.

Between now and Dec. 31, every gift made to ELCA World Hunger will be matched, dollar for dollar, until we reach $100,000! Will you give today?

The ministry of ELCA World Hunger was ready to meet the year’s challenges, participating creatively and courageously in the renewing work God is doing, even in the most difficult times. In more than 60 countries including the United States, ELCA World Hunger is working to end hunger and poverty. From food pantries to water wells, health care to advocacy, gifts to ELCA World Hunger are at work.

This is part of Jesus Christ’s call on our church. But to answer, we need you.

Thank you,

The Rev. Daniel Rift

Director, ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response Funding

P.S. If you give by the 11:59 p.m. Central deadline on Dec. 31, all gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, until we reach $100,000. Gifts received before this date are also tax-deductible for 2020 as allowed by law.