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PRESBYTERIAN WORLD SERVICE & DEVELOPMENT
Thank You, PWS&D Champions!
By Emma Clarke, PWS&D Communications
“We have managed to keep the needs of people who live with food insecurity, and the ways we partner with our brothers and sis- ters [through PWS&D] before our congregation,” said the Rev. Anita Van Nest, PWS&D Champion and minister at Stamford Presbyterian Church in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Despite the challenges of the past few years, Champions like the Rev. Anita have continued to engage their congregations. They join a long line of people who, throughout PWS&D’s 75-year history, have supported efforts toward a more sustainable, com- passionate and just world.
Looking back, the Rev. Anita recalled the World Food Day chal- lenge her congregation under- took in 2020. “I asked everyone to consider their favourite dinner and then make it, donating the amount that dinner cost between PWS&D and our local food bank.” Many members of Stamford be- came chefs for the day, chal- lenging each other to guess who
Knox Waterloo community members raised support for food security by collectively travelling 814.4 km in their 2021 Walk-&-Roll-a-Thon fundraiser.
Reinders, Ontario Regional Repre- sentative for Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a coalition through which PWS&D is working alongside oth- er churches toward ending global hunger.
Carole Clyde-Ellis, Knox Water- loo Faith Formation Coordinator, shares that the children in the con- gregation did a bean-growing pro- ject as a reminder “that all people should have equal access to food and that there are ways they can help work toward food security.” Then, Knox Waterloo came to- gether for a walk-a-thon, clocking 814.4 km and raising over $3,000 for tools, training and other sup- por t PWS&D provides to sustain- ably address global food security.
Whether baking goods to raise funds for relief work, praying to- gether with their congregation, sharing announcements during Sunday services or writing let- ters to the government, seeking action on important humanitar- ian issues, PWS&D Champions, ministers and other dedicated Presbyterians have continued to make a difference—and we want to say thanks!
made which meal—with several cooks even entering photos of their dishes in a contest in the lo- cal newspaper. It was one of the many ways in which churches
across Canada commemorated World Food Day that year, and Stamford’s fundraiser contributed $900 toward PWS&D’s work in food security.
Food needs around the world have also been top-of-mind for the congregation at Knox in Wa- terloo, Ont. They started the year 2021 with a visit from Henry
Join PWS&D’s Journey for Hope
By PWS&D Communications
In a world filled with need, we have a chance to create positive change—and it’s as easy as tak- ing a walk, reading a book or go- ing for a bike ride!
On Saturday, Oct. 1, join PWS&D in the Journey for Hope. This year we will be raising funds for PWS&D’s food security pro- grams around the world.
This event was previously hosted by Ride for Refuge and managed by the Blue Sea Foun- dation. In response to changes in the structure of Ride for Ref- uge, PWS&D has decided to create our own event—Journey for Hope. In many ways, this will feel like past Ride events, espe- cially the ones local groups have hosted throughout the pandemic. PWS&D will support participants by providing team donation pages and other necessary materials.
We are encouraging support- ers to cycle, walk or choose from a variety of activities that can be done at home or virtually. Choose from spelunking, knitting, danc-
A team from London, Ont., gets ready to ride in support of PWS&D food security programs.
ing, volunteering and much more to raise funds and awareness.
This year, we’ll be raising funds for PWS&D’s food security pro- jects around the world. Right now, 50 million people living across 45 countries are facing emergency levels of hunger. Stress on global
food systems could lead to 323 million people facing acute hun- ger in 2022.
The effects of climate change, conflict and COVID-19 have com- bined to create a situation where action is essential. World hunger rose by an unprecedented 18%
last year. Progress made to re- duce world hunger in recent dec- ades has largely evaporated.
Your par ticipation will help train farmers on how to increase crop yields, improve nutrition and deal with the impacts of climate change. Farmers and their families
also learn how to market and sell their products, providing an income that can be used to access health care, purchase nutritious food and send their children to school.
Visit WeRespond.ca/Journey- for-Hope to learn more and join the journey.