DownloadJuly 6, 2009 issue
MMA depletes Sharing Fund, creates new Faith in the Future Grant
By Mennonite Mutual Aid staffGOSHEN, Ind. — Mennonite Mutual Aid’s Sharing Fund ran out of money the week of June 19, but the agency has designated an additional $50,000 for the Faith in the Future Grant.
Economic conditions nationally increased the demand for the Sharing Fund. Employment difficulties in particular created increased demand on grants used in congregations.
“MMA is grateful it can support so many congregations and individuals with grants during these challenging times,” said Phyllis Mishler, Sharing Fund manager. “Compared to other years, fund requests are running a few months ahead.”
Between Jan. 1 and June 15, the Sharing Fund helped 722 churches deliver 1,937 grants. Typically, the Sharing Fund does not run out of funds until the autumn of each year.
This year, Jer. 29:11 has offered a way for MMA to speak about God’s providence and faith in the future during this difficult economic period: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
The Faith in the Future Grant aims to help those hardest hit by the economic downturn. This grant money will be used only to help individuals in churches or the churches’ communities who are underemployed or unemployed due to the recession. To stretch this special grant across as many churches as possible, this will be a three-to-one matching grant. For every $3 a church gives toward a need, MMA will contribute $1.
Individuals and churches can donate to the Faith in the Future Grant fund. As with Sharing Fund donations, 100 percent will go to those in need; donations are not used to cover fund administrative costs.
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