(MISC-4)                           WORLD HUNGER / ASH FAST RESOLUTION

In 1977, the Legislative Assembly of LSM-USA adopted a resolution on world hunger awareness.  The resolution called upon LSM-USA students to increase their awareness of the world hunger situation and to help provide relief for the hungry in this country and abroad.  It also called upon the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to coordinate Holy Week fast day for interested campus ministry groups.

During the year, articles on hunger, BREAD FOR THE WORLD, and fasting appeared in the LSM-USA Newsletter.  A fast day Resource Packet has been printed and was distributed to the 300 full-time campus ministry sites in the United States.  This packet was published by the Division of Mission in North America (DMMA) of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA),  Which has helped to increase its accessibility.

A Nationwide fast day was held on Ash Wednesday in 1978.  At that time, fourteen groups returned evaluation forms or letters reporting a total of $1,724.24 collected to benefit the hungry.

Now, eight years later, the world hunger situation has increased to an alarming degree, as seen most recently in the Ethiopian/African famine crisis, which has received worldwide publicity and attention.  There is still an enormous amount of people in this country and overseas who are malnourished, a great cause of the child deaths in the world.  This indicates the need for an on-going awareness, concern and action for the issue.  Fasting provides the opportunity for the community of Christ in LSM-USA to join in solidarity with our sisters and brothers who do not have enough to eat. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT LSM-USA continue their commitment to the world's        hungry through an annual Ash Wednesday fast – an ASH FAST – coordinated by      locally affiliated LSM-USA groups, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT monies collected on the fast day through elimination of           meals or the certain foods (e.g. Meat) and through the solicitation of contribution from        individuals be donated to Lutheran World Relief, CROP, of OXFAM America, for          hunger relief projects.  (Care should be taken in selecting a relief agency to assure maximum relief is provided to the hungry), and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the coordinating groups shall submit articles on world             hunger and related issues, including information on agencies which are established to         help alleviate the world hunger situation (e.g. BREAD FOR THE WORLD), to the    LSM-USA Newsletter, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT LSM-USA encourage local groups to take advantage of       this packet which can be obtained at the national LSM-USA office, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT  follow-up on this resolution should be sent the nation             LSM-USA office.

SPONSOR: The International and Ecumenical Relations Committee of th 1984-85 National                       Council.