Esperanza Tackles Hunger!
Esperanza Tackles Hunger!
Esperanza worked on tackling one of the most pressing problems in our community during 2022: hunger. Read about initiatives below. The Hunger Ministry Plan was approved by the Church Council on February 15, 2022.
Ministries Continue Throughout the Year
Donations of non-perishable food (and school supplies) to the Kyrene Family Resource Center.
Address questions to Larry or Peggy Hanson ([email protected]).
Click Here for the Ahwatukee Foothills News Article on CROP Hunger Walk (Nov 2022)
Participation in 2022
First Quarter
On Sunday, March 20, Ms. Solveig Muus provided the sermon at both church services. Employed by the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod, Ms. Muus is Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Arizona (LAMA) as well Director of Advancement at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. Ms. Muus encouraged us to love and serve our neighbors, seek justice for all people, and advocate for the poor, hungry, blind, and others in need. During the adult study between services, Ms. Muus discussed hunger efforts church wide and locally, how Esperanza can make a difference, and LAMA policy initiatives.
Second Quarter
On May 1, a team of 15 teens and adults prepared and served a pancake breakfast at Grace Lutheran Church (located downtown Phoenix) for the homeless. Approximately 150 people were served. Grace Lutheran has conducted the pancake breakfast every Sunday for the last approximately 20 years. Other congregations cover some of the Sundays.
Visit recent posts about our hunger programs by visiting https://myesperanza.org/?s=hunger
During the May 31 – June 2 Vacation Bible School, discussions on hunger were weaved into the curriculum.
On May 14, at the Kyrene Family Resource Center located in Tempe, 15 volunteers sorted donations, prepared food boxes, stacked food and personal hygiene shelves, cleaned clothes racks, and prepared bags of personal hygiene products.
On June 9, nine volunteers prepared and delivered an evening meal for three families being assisted by Family Promise. Family Promise helps families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence. Desert Foohills United Methodist Church hosted the families on their campus. Esperanza has participated in this ministry for several years.
Third Quarter
On July 13th and 20th, and August 17th, 20 volunteers and several friends of Esperanza participated in Grace Lutheran’s summer heat respite ministry. The summer heat respite ministry provided an opportunity on Mondays through Friday for the homeless to escape the heat and obtain breakfast and lunch. Sack lunches (bread, meat, cheese, fruit-cup, nutria-grain bar, etc.) were prepared at Esperanza and delivered to Grace Lutheran: 160 lunches on July 13, 171 lunches on July 20, and 157 lunches on August 17.
Fourth Quarter
On October 15, at the Feed My Starving Children packing center in Mesa, eleven volunteers assembled and packed 2,100 meals (9.5 large boxes) for children that are in need of food.
Esperanza organized, and hosted the Ahwatukee Foothills CROP Hunger Walk on November 13 at Desert Foothills Park. Approximately 80 walkers participated. The fundraising event received $11,000 in donations! Seventy-five percent of the donations will be used by Church World Services, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster. Twenty-five percent of the donations were donated to the Kyrene Family Resource Center to help stock food shelves.
Walk teams from the following churches participated in the Walk: Desert Cross Lutheran, Mountain View Lutheran, Desert Foothills United Methodist, and Esperanza.
Click Here for the Ahwatukee Foothills News Article on CROP Hunger Walk (Nov 2022)
On November 27, 12 volunteers and two friends of Esperanza prepared and served a pancake breakfast at Grace Lutheran Church (located downtown Phoenix) for the homeless. Approximately 125 people were served.
