News Briefs – September 21, 2011
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CLWR News Headlines
- Over half a million dollars raised for East Africa—but we can’t stop now!
- Mark World Food Day with a “Fast for Change”
- Ten Thousand Villages turns 65
Over half a million dollars raised for East Africa—but we can’t stop now!
A big thank you to all of our supporters for your amazing response to our East Africa drought appeal. You have now raised over half a million dollars to fight famine in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, which will be doubled through a matching contribution from the Canadian government. Though the deadline for matching funds was September 16, we are still accepting donations to help those struggling with hunger find sustainable solutions for feeding themselves and their families. The need is still great, and there is much more that needs to be done. Read more at http://bit.ly/EA_appeal.
One of the highlights of your response was the support CLWR and our partners Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) received on Friday, September 9, when CBC Manitoba held a special day of programming on East Africa and called out for donations on our behalf. Manitobans of all backgrounds reached out to help, and over $106,000 was raised, a third going to CLWR.
The programming included a live broadcast from a ration meal event CLWR, CFGB, and MCC co-hosted at Sargent Mennonite Church in Winnipeg. With the deadline for matching funds quickly approaching, we wanted to raise awareness of the extreme need in East Africa. We served leaders from the province’s religious and business communities, non-profit groups, political parties, the media, the Somali community and others a specially-prepared ration meal of bread and beans—a simple meal similar to what people in refugee camps eat. Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel, executive of mission and social ministry at Lutheran Church–Canada, said grace.
We have resources available, including recipes, for families and congregations to host their own ration meal and raise funds and awareness for famine relief. These were featured in our last news brief and can be accessed at http://bit.ly/CLWR_ration_meal and on CFGB’s website: http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca/ration_meal.aspx. You can find more resources on fighting hunger at www.fastforchange.ca (see below for more).
Mark World Food Day with a “Fast for Change”
There’s enough food for everyone. Yet there are one billion people in the world who are hungry. How can you be part of the solution?
Fast for Change is a way for individuals and groups to respond to hunger. A resource kit provided by Canadian Foodgrains Bank and its member organizations, including CLWR, contains a seven-day prayer and reflection booklet, a fasting meal event, elements for worship services and activities for youth. World Food Day (Sunday, October 16) and the Week of Action on Food (October 10-17) are good times to fast for change, but it can be done at any time. The kit is available at www.fastforchange.ca or by contacting Jennifer at 1-800-661-2597 or jennifer@clwr.mb.ca.
Ten Thousand Villages turns 65
On the October 1st weekend, fair trade pioneer Ten Thousand Villages will celebrate its landmark 65th year of crafting change around the world. Celebrations will take place in stores and at festival sales across Canada, as well as at the national head office in New Hamburg, Ontario.
Guest speaker and master storyteller Doug Dirks will give public presentations at Conrad Grebel College, Waterloo, on Thursday, September 28, 7 p.m.; New Hamburg Open House, on Saturday, October 1; Rockway Mennonite Church, Kitchener, on Sunday, October 2, 10-12; and Toronto United Mennonite Church, Toronto, on Sunday, October 2, 7 p.m.
Learn more at www.tenthousandvillages.ca, or contact Ingrid at ingrid.heinrichspauls@villages.ca.
CLWR promotes alternative trade to its constituency by encouraging support for Ten Thousand Villages. This organization assists many of the same artisans that were supported by CLWR's Four Corners while it was in operation.
CLWR News Briefs are produced by Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR). CLWR reports stories for the benefit and interest of its readers. News stories do not necessarily reflect CLWR policy or positions.
Donations can be made in the following ways:
• Through your local LCC or ELCIC congregation
• At www.clwr.org
• Toll free at 1.800.661.2597 (CLWR) or in the Winnipeg area: 204.694.5602
• By cheque or money order to: Canadian Lutheran World Relief, 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
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Department of Community Relations, Canadian Lutheran World Relief
302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
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