How to Get a Growing Project Started

It takes someone to form an ad hoc group of people who have a passion to reduce world hunger: the group is often a subset of your formal church mission committee. The original organizer does not have to be the eventual chairperson, just someone who can get a group together.

At that informal gathering

· Discuss the problems of world hunger

· Review our Christian calling and responsibility

· Relate how FRB can be a blessing to your congregation at the same time it helps alleviate hunger and poverty

See "How Will You Raise Awareness" below, and pick and choose for this informal gathering

Form leadership groups

Suburban/Urban

Suburban/Rural

Chair or co-chair

Chair or co-chair

Secretary

Secretary

Funding the growing project

Land

Publicity/Field sign

Ag inputs (elevator)

Food Function (Harvest Celebration)

Publicity/field sign

Treasurer – Line item (church –FRB)

Harvest Celebration
 

Treasurer, Line item (church/FRB)

Joint

· Which church has the fiduciary responsibility to FRB?

· How will funds transfer between the churches (primarily city to rural – as needed, all at once, etc.)

 

How will you raise awareness about world hunger with the congregation?

· FRB video, It’s Never Been My Turn, and other printed FRB materials

· Worship service dedicated to world hunger

· Scriptures:

Isaiah 58, 6-12: "Is this the fast you choose …"

Matthew 25, 35-40: "…one of the least of these who are members of my family …

John 21: "Then feed my sheep"

Luke 10:25-28: "… and what is the second part of that?"

Luke 10:29-37: "… but who is my neighbor?"

· Check Bread for the World website, www.bread.org

How will you raise funding?

· Challenge families to own an acre/half-acre/row (etc.)

· Create a visual to record ownership and progress

· Special event – dinners, bake sale, etc.

· Mission/outreach budget

· Special offering or dedication & direction of a current offering

"From experience, owning an acre or partial acre is the best!"

 

When do you start"

· Yesterday! (But, seriously, any time!)

· As a rule, the later you start the smaller the project, but start and get awareness!

· Don’t wait for just the right, perfect time, when everything is just perfect: start now to gain a community presence

Once your leadership groups are formed:

· It truly starts with land. Ideally, the annual use of land is donated, 8 acres here, 12 there, another 10 and you have a community growing project

· You may need to rent land, pay taxes on land, you may get the landowner’s "rent share." Be flexible

· Farmers then donate their time, equipment and management expertise. You can offer to cover out-of-pocket expenses, e.g. fuel, if necessary. Farmers are also in the best position to get inputs donated.

· The local elevator person or chemicals or fertilizer supplier is also a valuable addition to your leadership committee. He has a relationship with suppliers.

· Who in your community has a knack for publicity, advertising, awareness? Use your church bulletin, newsletter, local newspaper, radio, TV, etc.

· Who is the local professional sign maker? Do you have an art teacher, artist, industrial arts teacher, or local Voc Ag group that could design, paint, and erect a field sign honoring all sponsors?

· Call FRB headquarters (1-888-276-4FRB) for shipment of aluminum signs with FRB’s logo.