Florida Baptists to observe Hunger Awareness Day July 8

By Barbara Denman

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Sunday, July 8 has been set aside as the time for Florida Baptists to take a hard look at hunger needs in the state, nation and world. Churches from coast-to-coast will pause that day to determine how they, too, can be involved in serving the state’s hungry.

Alarming statistics indicate that hunger needs are on the rise and are increasingly affecting senior adults and children.

Worldwide, about 25,000 people every day—or one person every three and a half seconds—die of hunger or hunger-related causes, according to a United Nations report.

In the U.S., 37 million people—or one out of eight Americans-- lived in poverty in 2006, as reported by the Census. That’s 1.1 million more than the previous year, and 3 million more than three years ago. Of these, 13 million are children and 3.6 million are seniors.

The numbers hit closer to home when looking at Florida. One in six Broward residents go hungry everyday, according to a survey recently conducted by the county.

In Miami-Dade County, an estimated 450,000 persons live in poverty, a number that increases to 800,000 persons in South Florida.

Central Florida residents fare little better. In Orange, Osceola and Volusia counties, 11.5 percent of the population lives at or below the poverty level. Persons living in poverty compose 11.2 percent of the Lake County population; 8.6 percent in Seminole and Brevard.

A large percentage, according to reports, is the working poor who miss meals each day and substitute cheaper food for a healthier dietary lifestyle. Hunger and poor diets are also to blame for decreasing educational performances in schools.

Sadly, Florida’s food banks report that an increasing number of their clients are women with children and the elderly.

Florida Baptists can help. In 2006, Florida Baptists gave $ 366,771 to fight world hunger. But the potential for giving is even greater.

The Hunger Awareness Offering is a channel for Florida Baptists to impact poverty worldwide. Many Florida churches will collect the offering in July, but others will choose to participate in the Southern Baptist Convention World Hunger Emphasis in October.

Gifts to both hunger offerings are received by the state convention and funds are allocated on a percentage distribution: 60 percent to the International Mission Board for worldwide hunger relief; 15 percent to the North American Mission Board to fight hunger in the U.S.; and 25 percent for the state to help Florida Baptists churches and associations purchase food to feed the hungry in their community.

Florida Baptist hunger funds are received by churches in every one of Florida’s 49 associations, those serving both metropolitan cities and rural towns. In 2006, 158,696 persons were fed as a result of those funds.

As Florida Baptist churches meet the needs of those who are physically hungry, they also are compelled by the Great Commission to meet their spiritual hunger as well.

“Bright Hope for Tomorrow,” is the theme of this year’s Hunger Awareness Day and Offering, and is designed to look at the spiritual needs of persons suffering from hunger.

In 2006, Florida Baptist churches receiving hunger relief funds reported 3,688 persons accepted Christ through their ministry and 1,122 persons followed through in believer’s baptism.

As a result of Florida Baptists’ commitment, each month lives of persons across the state are being eternally changed. As an example:

• F ellsmere Hispanic mission in Treasure Coast Baptist Association reported 13 professions of faith in December 2006.
• Lakeview Baptist Church in Hudson reported 12 professions of faith in January 2007 through their “Project Hope” ministry.
• Panama City ’s St Andrews Baptist Church reported 17 professions of faith in February 2007 through their Christian Care Center.
• Iglesia Hispanic Church in Mayo reported 19 professions of faith in February 2007.

As Florida Baptists seek to give the bright hope found in Christ to a spiritually broken and needy state, they, too, are following the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, his son in the ministry: “Let them so good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come.”

Free, undated materials to help churches observe the day are available on-line at www.flbaptist.org or by contacting the Convention’s Church and Community Ministries Department at 800-226-8584, ext. 3113. These same materials are available and can be used during the October observance.