“$500.00 and $1,000. Matching Hunger Grants De-Md Hunger Ministry Partnership with-Hunger T. F. Background: The Hunger Task Force (HTF) of the DE-MD Synod has been supporting and partnering with synod churches and community partners in the battle against poverty and hunger. With the onset of Covid-19, hunger and financial needs are even greater. The HTF wants to expand its impact to provide additional resources for local food pantries and feeding ministries. The Ministry Offer: Each participating congregation will raise its own funds for a local food ministry and the HTF will match $500 or $1,000 of the church’s total. Congregations may support their own food ministry or share with another local food program. In the application, indicate if your church is applying for $500.00 or $1,000. The money that your congregation raises can be secured in any manner - an appeal to members, from church savings, special gifts, a “noisy change offering, etc. But the amount raised must be “new” money, not funds already approved in a church budget or as part of a prior ministry plan. (We are intending to help increase the overall amount of funds to help those in need.). Also, the money does not have to be raised immediately to participate. IF the Pastor or Church Council agrees to raise these new funds, your application can be approved, and funds can be set aside for HTF authorization. Application Timetable: Funds are available for as long as the funds are available. Thus, applications will be available in 2023 and 2024, possibly beyond. Additional Partnership: Once your fund raising has been completed, please report back to the HTF the amount that your church raised. There is an “Application for HTF “Matching Food Grant.” Please complete and email to Ms. Claudia Harrington -Claudia280@comcast.net. Inquiries may be made via her email or call 301-662-8814; or Pastor Fred Melton, fmelton@comcast.net..