Pastor Stefan and disciples at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hillsboro raised over $380 in donations from generous attenders of this year’s Harvest Fest on October 12. At a booth with fall and animal decorations, donations were collected in the church’s Christmas manger. The pastor dressed up as a sheep and invited people to learn and support global barnyards. The shepherd-turned-sheep gave hugs to anyone who wanted one. And a blessed person was able to win a life-sized toy goat in the free raffle drawing.
This year, the world hunger ministry of the ELCA is celebrating 50 years of relief, development, and advocacy work through a network of national and international partners. The money raised at St. Paul’s booth will be able to provide a variety of animals, including a $50 share in a fish farm, a $50 share of a cow, two $50 goats, three $30 piglets, two $20 bee colonies, two $15 roosters, and two $10 flocks of chicks.
ELCA World Hunger also supports health, education, and business startups efforts through water wells, vaccinations, farming classes, microloans and more. Providing animals has been shown to be a simple but effective way to get people to take care of themselves and improve their family’s situation and even impact the lives of entire communities. To find out more go to ELCA.org/hunger.