The ELCA describes its World Hunger Appeal fund as a toolbox with specific instruments that enable our church to respond effectively in different situations that require different approaches. Funds contributed to World Hunger are collected centrally and channeled to the instrument, or partner agency, that is the most capable of distributing help to people in need in a particular situation.
The two major partners through which funds are channeled are Lutheran World Relief and the Lutheran World Federation. Approximately 30 cents of every dollar given to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal goes to each of these instruments.
Lutheran World Relief is a coalition of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Unlike the Lutheran Services of America (see previous article), LWR's main work is overseas. Often LWR will partner with local organizations to accomplish its goals rather than set up new agencies. For example, it works with the Christian Medical Association of India to improve health for women and children.
Lutheran World Federation is a family of 60.2 million Lutherans in 133 member church bodies working together not only for relief and development efforts, but also in efforts involving ecumenical relations, theology, communication, mission development, and human rights. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is not part of the LWF.
Other ELCA World Hunger Program partners include: