When the Federal Government delayed approval of the 2025 budget, causing a government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) benefit distribution was also delayed and food pantries around the country began to see a dramatic increase in customers. Global Ministries launched an emergency Feeding Our Neighbors program to help local churches in the U.S. continue and increase their feeding ministries.
The overwhelming response to that program has resulted in a second round of grants that are headed to conferences in the U.S. to assist local churches responding to food insecurity in their communities. In fact, United Methodist congregations with established food ministries have reported that after the government reopened, their customer base continued to increase. Currently, food prices have also increased, stretching feeding ministries beyond their capacity to meet the growing needs.
These grants are intended to inspire acts of compassion, in answer to Jesus’ call in Matthew 25:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”
Feeding Our Neighbor Grants
The following annual conferences have received $20,000 grants:
Illinois Great Rivers Conference: Feeding Our Neighbors project
The conference plans to support the response of established United Methodist food pantries across downstate Illinois. The full amount goes to buying food, distributed as 10-$2,000 grants to church pantries serving both rural and urban communities.
Peninsula-Delaware Conference: NEJ Feeding Our Neighbors Grants for Congregations Serving Immigrants and Communities of Color
The grant from Global Ministries will leverage $40,000 from the Northeastern Jurisdiction Call to Action budget to provide catalytic grants to congregations and support shared learning that strengthens food security ministries across the NEJ.
Oklahoma Conference: What if Love…Fed Our Neighbors
Financial assistance will help Oklahoma Conference congregations purchase food items for their established food pantries. An emphasis will be placed on congregations in rural or smaller communities.
Desert Southwest Conference: Healthy Food for Healthy Churches
The Desert Southwest Conference plans to support at least 10 local church food pantry ministries in Southern Nevada and Arizona with food supplies to allow them to provide more protein and fresh produce for at least 5000 clients.
Kentucky Conference/Central Appalachian Missionary Conference: Joint Food Insecurity Proposal
The joint project will provide 10 $2,000 grants to established food pantries in the Kentucky and Central Appalachian Missionary conferences.
Alaska Conference: Gen2Gen: Disciples’ Table
This project will multiply intergenerational ministries addressing hunger across the Alaska Conference by expanding seven established rural and urban food pantries and feeding ministries. These pantries will respond to food insecurity by bringing generations together around Christ’s table to build relationships, form disciples, and nourish communities.
Ohio Episcopal Area: For I Was Hungry
East and West Ohio conferences will provide grants to feeding ministries at local churches and United Methodist ministries.
Texas Conference: Feed the People
The Texas Annual Conference will enhance its food distribution capacity through United Methodist churches in the conference.
Florida Conference: Live First Feeding Grant
This grant will strengthen the capacity of local churches to address food insecurity by increasing access to nourishing foods, reduce hunger, improve health and well-being, and empower churches to serve as trusted community partners, offering hope, compassion, and practical assistance to their neighbors.
Native American Ministries Special Sunday Grant
Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference (OIMC): Local Churches Food Insecurity Help
The goal of this project is to help local Native American United Methodist churches continue to provide hot meals in their communities and supply food to those that have established food pantries in the conference.
Related article: Pantries Across the Country Feed More Neighbors in Need
For more information about grants that support multiethnic and racial/ethnic communities and how conferences can apply for them, visit Multiethnic Ministries on our website. Local church leaders should contact their conference office to discover how to participate in the grants listed above.
Multiethnic Ministries – Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry
Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry have a theological commitment to partnering with communities of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to join in God’s mission together. This commitment is grounded in Methodist theological heritage and a belief that people of all backgrounds are called to be active participants in God’s mission with unique gifts to offer in that work.
Media Contacts:
Susan Clark
Chief Communications Officer
Communications@umcmission.org
Dana Lyles
Executive Director, Multiethnic Ministries
mem@umcmission.org
