The Global Food Initiative (GFI) is the primary way that the Church of the Brethren assists hungry people in developing food security. Since 1983, GFI (formerly Global Food Crisis Fund) has raised over $8,000,000 for community development projects in numerous countries around the globe. Read (and share!) the latest GFI newsletter or take a look at the list of 2020 allocations, 2019 allocations, or previous GFI allocations (scroll down).
GFI seeks to:
- invest in small-scale economic development
- join efforts to improve diet and health practices
- champion soil conservation
- promote awareness-raising and advocacy on hunger issues.
This work is made possible through your contributions. We encourage you to participate with us by:
- praying that those who are hungry may have food
- giving an individual contribution
- participating in our ongoing “My 2¢ Worth” fundraiser (contact GFI for questions or materials)
- taking an offering for GFI at your congregation or camp
Your support of the Global Food Initiative upholds the biblical command to lift the burden of the oppressed. Moreover it honors God, for as stated in Proverbs 14:31, “Kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.”
- Global Food Initiative grants go to Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Honduras, New Orleans
of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI). Recently, allocations have been made in support of an agricultural initiative of L’Eglise des Freres d’Haiti (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti), a pig project of Eglise des Freres au Congo (the Church of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC), an urban poultry and vegetable garden project in Honduras, and a goat herd at Capstone 118 in New Orleans.
- Harrisburg First Church of the Brethren tends its community garden
has been tending to their community garden for about five years now, thanks to the original initiative of former pastor Belita Mitchell. The current garden coordinator, Waneta Benson, cites this year as the best year yet!
- Global Food Initiative makes Ecuador visit
to Ecuador on June 16-24 was to spend time meeting with Alfredo Merino, executive director of La Fundacion Brethren y Unida (FBU--Brethren and United Foundation).
- Global Food Initiative grants go to Haiti agriculture program, community garden, food distribution program
The Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) has given grants to support transition of an agriculture program of Eglise des Freres d’Haiti (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti) to a self-sustaining ministry. Also among recent grants are allocations in support of a community garden of Grace Way Community Church of the Brethren in Dundalk, Md., and a food distribution program of the Alpha and Omega Community Center in Lancaster, Pa.
- Eglise des Freres Haitiens general secretary expresses appreciation for prayers for Haiti
The general secretary of Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti), Romy Telfort, is expressing appreciation for prayers from the US Church of the Brethren following the assassination of Haiti’s president Jovenel Moïse.
- Global Food Initiative grants go to projects in Nigeria, Ecuador, Uganda, US
The Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) has announced grants to support agriculture and food security projects in four countries including a soybean project in Nigeria, a food crops project in Ecuador, a maize mill project in Uganda, and two community gardens in the US.
- Church of the Brethren staff plan expansion of agriculture and trauma recovery programing in South Sudan
A plan to expand Church of the Brethren agriculture and trauma recovery programing in South Sudan is receiving support from Brethren Disaster Ministries and the Global Food Initiative. A joint allocation directs $29,500 to the work in South Sudan, including $24,500 from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) and $5,000 from the Global Food Initiative (GFI).
- GFI grants support pig project in Rwanda, community garden in North Carolina
The Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) has announced its first two grants for 2021, supporting a pig project of the Church of the Brethren in Rwanda and a community garden of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Southport, N.C.
- Grants support hurricane relief, international groups affected by pandemic, community gardens
A GFI allocation of $20,000 is divided between four church-related international partners of the Global Food Initiative. Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed an EDF grant of $11,000 to the COVID-19 response of Haitian congregations of Iglesia de los Hermanos in the DR. An EDF grant of $10,000 supports hurricane relief by the Christian Solidarity Program (CSP) in Honduras. Two GFI grants support community gardens related to Church of the Brethren congregations.
- Global Food Initiative aids Brethren groups in DRC and Burundi among grant recipients
The Church of the Brethren Global Food Initiative (GFI) has aided Brethren groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, a humanitarian organization linked to the former Brethren mission in Ecuador, and a gardening project in New Orleans, in grants made since mid-year. Democratic Republic of Congo A grant of $7,500 has been given
Chef Kevin Belton caught up with local beekeeper, David Young, to see how he turned his home into something sweeter than produce.
Seedworld – Soybean helps rebuild Nigeria
Church of the Brethren and SIL collaborate on a Soybean Production Guide. Read the story here. Get the Soybean Production Guide here.
Read about an EYN soybean value chain learning trip to Ghana in this Soybean Innovation Lab newsletter.
Read an earlier article on this collaboration with the Soybean Innovation Lab (scroll down).
Find out about the 2016 visit to the Soybean Innovation Lab Soybean Management and Appropriate Research & Technology (SMART) farm in Ghana.
David Young of Capstone 118, GFI partner in New Orleans
Pastor Martin Hutchison of Community of Joy Church of the Brethren