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Community Corner

Old Zionsville Church Donates $3,600 to Food for the Poor

Determined parishioners spend less on Christmas to provide special gift to those in need.

It began as a thought – an idea – in the adult discussion class at , Old Zionsville, during the season of Advent in 2010. It then moved to a challenge within the entire congregation – to collect $3,600 to help a family in need.

The idea came from a book the class was studying – “Advent Conspiracy –Can Christmas Still Change the World?” by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay and Greg Holder. The book describes how Christians can choose to make “Christmas what it should be - a joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth that enriches our hearts and the world around us, [rather than just] a retail circus that depletes our pocketbooks and defeats our spirits.”

Tired of how consumerism has stolen the meaning of Christmas, the class studied the following concepts:

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  • Worship fully…because Christmas begins and ends with Jesus
  • Spend less …free resources for things that truly matter
  • Give more…of one’s presence by using hands, words, time and heart
  • Love all… including the poor, the forgotten and the sick

The discussion group invited the congregation to join them in their endeavor to spend less on Christmas gifts. The idea being that whatever amount was not spent would be donated to the project. But could it be done in just four weeks’ time?

Through Food for the Poor, Inc., the group chose a project entitled “Home for the Holidays - Everything for a family with nothing.” It provides a family with a new, sturdy house, latrine, rice and beans for one year, a small-business project to help provide a source of income, school supplies for two children (including books and uniforms), clothing and shoes – all for $3,600.

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On June 5, The Rev. Dr. Hans-Fredrik Gustafson, a representative from Food for the Poor, was the guest speaker during the Sunday worship service. “Food for the Poor,” he said, “is a spiritual awakening…when feeding the poor; you could be feeding Christ in disguise.”

The non-profit organization operates in 17 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, assisting the poorest of the poor, Gustafson said. Based in Coconut Creek, Florida, it is the largest charity of its kind in the United States, and is also the most efficient, with more than 96 percent of donations going to programs that help those in need.

Food for the Poor assists the needy by providing food, homes, medical aid, goats for milk, a water pump for a village, clothes, sanitation and more. 

Founded in 1982, Food for the Poor has built more than 61,000 housing units.  “These homes are like a palace to those who have been living under a sheet,” Gustafson said.

The group has also supplied coastal villages with boats, fishing equipment and training in deep-sea fishing. Currently, there are 17 fishing villages in Jamaica and 30 in Haiti that are in operation thanks to Food for the Poor.

The Rev. Martin Milne, pastor of Zion’s Lutheran, presented Gustafson with a check for $3,600, saying, “Instead of buying Christmas gifts, the congregation presents this. This is your gift in Christ’s name.”   

Gustafson, who was surprised and speechless at the gift, said, “On behalf of Food for the Poor, thank you so much.”

Although it took six weeks instead of four, the congregation met the challenge and will give a family in need a wonderful Christmas gift.

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