Petition Text: 20183-GM-NonDis-O$

Whereas, in the United States 10.4 percent of the population relies on soup kitchens and food pantries for food assistance and 43 percent of food pantry/soup kitchen clients are children;

Whereas, in recent years the number of requests for emergency food assistance increased 13 percent and at least 17 percent of the requests went unmet;

Whereas, the funding needed to assist agencies in this ministry to the needy is decreasing;

Whereas, the 1992 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, page 552, ¶1460.5 states that one of the responsibilities of the United Methodist Committee on Relief Department is "To attack root causes of hunger and their consequences through programs of economic and social development";

Be it therefore resolved, that the 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church expand the focus of the United Methodist Committee on Relief Department as it relates to its emphasis on Hunger to include a National Office on Hunger to network, promote and model effective ministries;

Be it further resolved, that the 1996 General Conference institute a Hunger Challenge Fund to assist in the development of this initiative of which 50 percent would be used to fund the expanded focus and 50 percent to remain in the Annual Conferences to be used for Hunger Awareness Ministry.

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Petition Text: 20183-GM-NonDis-O$
1996 United Methodist General Conference