Global Hunger Relief – It’s About More Than Food

According to a recent national study, one in seven Americans relies on food pantries for resources to feed themselves and their families. That number seems to be growing every year.

That’s why Send Relief, a collaboration between NAMB and IMB, established Global Hunger Relief and the Global Hunger Fund. The money for this fund comes from local Southern Baptist churches through the Cooperative Program, as well as from those who give directly to the fund.
 
Your giving to the Global Hunger Fund makes a big difference. Last year, 174,188 food packages were distributed, 2.5 million hot meals were served, and 18,137 individuals found salvation in Christ.

In 2025, Ohio qualified for $20,000 from the fund. These dollars are currently divided between eight church pantries in Ohio to help meet food needs.
 
However, the heart of the Global Hunger Fund is about more than feeding people. It’s about feeding souls with the eternal, life-giving hope found in Jesus Christ.

For the first six months of 2025, Ohio’s eight agencies have given food to 51,200 individuals. These distributions include hot meals, sack lunches, and grocery-filled bags.

Meeting physical needs is a biblical directive, but the food is a means to open a door to the gospel.
 
Central Community Mission, Akron, is one of the eight feeding centers. This church has struggled this year – their pastor passed away, two elderly church members passed away, and two feeding ministry volunteers passed away.

However, even during its losses, the church stayed on mission, serving 3,100 people through compassion ministry and seeing one person come to faith in Christ.
 
A ministry like this doesn't happen without a team. Three hundred volunteers from these agencies have had 2,516 gospel conversations and seen 39 professions of faith in the past six months. What an amazing opportunity for members of the local church to feed their local communities and also share Christ.

You and your church can get involved in feeding your community. The first way is to give to the Global Hunger Fund weekly, through your church or as a one-time gift on Global Hunger Day, Sunday, August 24.
 
The other is to let the Global Hunger Fund help your church feed your community. One of the eight Ohio agencies is no longer receiving funds, so that means SCBO is looking for a feeding ministry in Ohio that could use additional funding for the second half of 2025.

We only have room for one more agency in 2025, so if your church is interested in financial assistance for your feeding ministry, contact me at jheading@scbo.org.