Four major functions
ELCA World Hunger improves the lives of people in need in the United States and around the world by:

• providing immediate relief for people affected by chronic hunger and poverty;

• assisting whole communities through long-term, sustainable development to help alleviate chronic hunger and poverty

• advocating for justice by changing laws and systems

• educating members of the ELCA in awareness of issues relating to hunger, poverty and justice

These major functions of the World Hunger Program are guided by the related objectives adopted at the 1987 ELCA Constituting Convention.
 

How does ELCA World Hunger carry out these functions?
ELCA World Hunger supports "partner organizations" that carry out international relief and development on the ELCA's behalf with grants from money raised by the World Hunger Appeal. Also through grants, the program helps fund more than 200 relief and development projects in the United States. Click here for a listing and links to all of our major partner organizations.

Funds raised by the World Hunger Appeal also support efforts of ELCA units and other outside partners as they:

• Teach members of the ELCA about causes and solutions to global poverty.

• Carry out active projects in environmental stewardship, and consider means for simple living to address hunger and poverty.

• Carry out hunger advocacy work in the ELCA Washington Office in Washington, D.C., and in 20 state offices as well as Bread for the World.
   

How is the money raised?
All money raised by the World Hunger Appeal comes through specially designated offerings and donations from ELCA members, congregations, and friends. ELCA World Hunger receives no benevolence (general budget money from general ELCA member offerings). Fund raising efforts are directed by the World Hunger Appeal, but the ELCA's daily world hunger ministry is based in congregations, where most of the fund raising takes place.
 

Who decides how the money is spent?
While most of the funds the World Hunger Appeal collects are raised in congregations, the funds are collected at the ELCA churchwide (national) office in Chicago. There, the work of raising and spending of funds is coordinated and supported by various units (departments) of the churchwide office, including:

• Development Services (World Hunger Appeal - fund-raising; hunger education, communication)

• Global Mission (international relief and development; International Disaster Response)

• Church in Society (World Hunger Program - overall coordination; hunger education; ELCA Domestic Disaster Response)

• Vocation and Education (vocational choices, higher education)
   

Responding to disasters
In addition to the ongoing work of fighting chronic hunger and poverty, part of the World Hunger (and Disaster) Appeal's function is to raise funds for the ELCA's Disaster Response program. These specially designated offerings and donations, separate from World Hunger funds, enable the ELCA to respond to both domestic and international disasters. The ELCA responds to many major disasters each year, both natural and human-caused.