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SWPA Hunger Leaders Gather

Lutherans from across Southwestern Pennsylvania gathered on Saturday,  October 29,  to make connections and learn about the ways that individuals, congregations, and non-profit organizations are working to end hunger in their communities.  Keynote speaker Mikka McCracken, ELCA World Hunger Director for Planning and Engagement, thanked participants for their hunger ministry and support of ELCA World Hunger.

She reflected on the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples and sharing breakfast in John 21.  In it, Jesus tells them to cast their nets to the other side of the boat, and in so doing, their nets are so full the disciples can barely haul them in.  McCracken asked those gathered to consider how they might “cast their nets to the other side” and try to engage against hunger in different ways so that we might answer Jesus’ command to “Feed my sheep.”

“I was excited to see so many people and organizations passionate about ending hunger come together, and hope that the event will be a catalyst for new and renewed cooperative ministry,” said the Rev. Jocelyn Johnston, LAMPa Policy Council member, and chair of the SWPA Synod Hunger Task Force.

“The “Feed My Sheep” event was  filled with inspiration and information about hunger issues,” said Kathie Westman, who noted that today the world produces 1.5 times the food needed for everyone living on the planet. Hunger, therefore, does not exist because of a lack of food, but because of injustice.  In the United States alone, we waste 60 million metric tons of food a year.  That’s enough to fill a stadium the size of Ford Field in Detroit 292 times.  There is enough for everyone to be fed. “Christians are called to be good stewards of the earth’s abundance and work to make this happen.”