Hunger is scary

Light of the World Lutheran Church in Farmington is planning two fun (and scary!) events to help combat local hunger. We think they are onto something great, and surprisingly simple, "have fun and fight hunger!"
 
The haunted maze
Light of the World's Matt Philpot is organizing his annual haunted maze to benefit the Farmington food shelf. Admission to the maze is one canned good. Last year's maze raised 350 pounds; the goal this year is to double it.

If you want to check it out, the haunted maze will be open at 7:00 p.m. on October 22, 29, 30, and 31. It is located at 19337 Ellington Trail in Farmington. Contact Matt Philpot at mgphilpot@charter.net if you have questions.

"All check in...Most check out!"
Light of the World's Dean Wedul is refurbishing the scary "Redrum Hotel." It will be open for check-in October 29, 30, and 31 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Located at 17371 Faraday Court, Farmington.

Donations of canned goods will be accepted for the Farmington food shelf. Last year's results: 437 pounds of food + $10. A water balloon target range will be open. Three balloons for $1.

Check out these events, or simply use this as inspiration for a "have fun and fight hunger" event in your own congregation.

October hunger connections

October is here! This year there is an enormous convergence of special events, celebrations, and weeks that relate to hunger. Celebrate and share hunger information with your family, friends, and congregation.

OCTOBER is Fair Trade Month. Many of our congregations work with Equal Exchange or another organization to provide fairly traded coffee, tea, and chocolate for sale to members.  Some go farther and sell nuts, dried fruit, olive oil, and other products. (Zion Lutheran, Chisago City, clearly states on their web site that they serve Fair Trade coffee exclusively.) Make an extra effort to shop fairly this month.

OCTOBER brings Church World Service’s CROP Walks. CROP Hunger Walks raise money to assist hungry people in many countries around the world. They provide for people in need in our local communities as 25 percent of the funds raised stay locally. CROP Walks serve to remind us that no matter how we may set out tables, we are all members of one human family created in God’s image. Be a walker or support one financially.

Photo from www.churchworldservice.org/CROP

OCTOBER brings World Food Day on October 16. This day, celebrated in many countries is sponsored/promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, on the day on which the organization was founded in 1945. The theme for 2011 is “Food Prices—From Crisis to Stability.”

OCTOBER also brings Food Day on October 24—in 2011 and in years to come. Food Day seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. The day is sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the nonprofit watchdog group, and is backed by an impressive advisory board that includes anti‑hunger advocates, physicians, authors, politicians, and leaders of groups focused on everything from farmers markets to animal welfare to public health.

OCTOBER ends on Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve), preceding All Saint’s Day. Don’t forget that you can do “reverse trick or treating” by sharing and explaining Fair Trade treats. The UNICEF boxes are still a good way to help hungry children—and online trick and treating for UNICEF is now possible.