Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
March 30, 2016
Great Fast, 2016
Beloved in the Lord,
Greetings and blessings to you as we enter this most holy season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Through your generosity on the parish level, this drive has grown into a strong witness of our Holy Orthodox faith on this continent and throughout the world.It is with the greatest joy that I write to you today to inaugurate the 2016 Food for Hungry People campaign. This year marks the 42nd anniversary of this charitable drive. When reflecting on the past 42 years, I call to mind the countless charitable organizations and individuals that we have helped because of this fund. (Donate to Food for Hungry People online)
During the past few years, we continue to raise funds
through various means to help those affected by the war in
Syria. Through your contributions to FFHP over the years,
we have helped many of the orphanages and other charitable
organizations within Syria and throughout our Patriarchate
and the entire Middle East, in addition to our domestic
charitable contributions. As we continue to
witness the horrors of the war in Syria, please make a
special effort this year to use FFHP to raise funds and
awareness to the tragedy there so we can help those in
need even more.
We urge you, during this season of prayer, self-discipline, and fasting to be very generous in your contribution to this campaign. As we practice the virtues which cleanse our souls, let us not forget or refrain from what St. John Chrysostom calls the "greatest of the virtues," giving to the poor. As important as prayer and fasting are, they are of no avail to us if we fail to give to those in need.
Praying that the Holy Spirit will strengthen us as we embark on our journey to Pascha we remain,
Your Father in Christ,
+JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North
America
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE
In the autumn of 1974, an international conference was convened in Rome, Italy, to formulate a program aimed at alleviating world hunger. The members of SOYO, compelled by their love of God and His Creation, met in Wichita, Kansas the following winter, and unanimously adopted a program which would afford every individual in our Archdiocese an opportunity to personally help bring food to their hungry brothers and sisters throughout the world. Presented by Archpriest James Meena, of blessed memory, the first, "FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE" campaign was planned for the Great Lent of 1975.
Through your generosity and prayers, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been distributed to the hungry and poor in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. All of the funds collected have been used to meet the needs of hungry people.
WAYS TO GIVE
Donate to Food for Hungry People online
You can give your gifts to the hungry in honor of a loved one on any occasion such as a birthday, baptism, anniversary, thank you, retirement or any other special event. “A Gift from the Heart” is also a thoughtful memorial. We will send a personalized icon card to the person you designate to inform them of the gift you gave in their honor.
Download all resources below: The Metropolitan's Letter, introductory brochure, a calendar for daily activities, informational letter, fund raising ideas, and bulletin inserts.
You may also give by sending a check along with a personalized donation form (PDF) to:
“Food For Hungry People”
c/o Robin Lynn Nicholas
4237 Dundee Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
robinFFHP@aol.com
