| October 24 2010
Posted in Student Services - Admissions

‘Friends’ Huddle for Hunger at TLS

It all started with a lighthearted Facebook application.

Friends would receive a random note that said ‘so-and-so sent you a covered dish’ – such as a green bean casserole. The note further instructed recipients to forward the ‘virtual’ dish to 10 more people. Kim Conway (’07), pastor at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Dale City, Virginia, received more than 40 virtual covered dishes in one day. And they didn’t stop coming.

Student Joyce Partyka, left, Pastor Mike Poole of Urbana, Ohio, and Trinity's Pastor Ruth Fortis get ready to huddle for hunger.

“I vented one day, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we really did something about hunger instead of wasting our time on Facebook?’” she said.

Mike Poole (’04), pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Urbana, Ohio, responded to her plea and A Month of Potlucks to End World Hunger was born. Conway and Poole asked friends and colleagues to join them in hosting a real potluck to raise money and awareness for world hunger. The potluck had to feature three components: education, advocacy and service. Their goal was to enlist congregations to host one potluck a day throughout a designated month.

In March 2009, 27 churches in eight states hosted ‘real’ potlucks and raised $4,500 for ELCA World Hunger. In 2010, 103 congregations hosted potlucks throughout the month of June and beyond. The organizers officially adopted the name A Month of Potlucks to End World Hunger and applied for a small grant to help fund their efforts to provide education, organize service projects, and raise awareness about ELCA World Hunger. In addition, A Month of Potlucks now has its own Facebook page and website.

Their story was featured in the May 2010 issue of The Lutheran and in the July-August edition of Seeds for the Parish. The efforts of Conway and Poole will culminate in a “Hunger Huddle” on November 5 at Trinity. Guest speakers at the conference will include Trinity alum Andrew Genszler (’01), director for Advocacy for the ELCA, and representatives from ELCA World Hunger, the local Lutheran Social Services food pantry and the President and CEO of Foods Resource Bank.

“We see Trinity as our partner in this,” said Conway, who noted that Trinity is the only seminary to participate in the Month of Potlucks program.

The cost for the Hunger Huddle is $40 per person and includes lunch, drinks and snacks throughout the day. Seminary students and retired clergy may attend at a cost of $10. Registrations will be accepted online at www.amonthofpotlucks.org. Participants can opt to stay through November 6 and take part in service projects at local food banks and food pantries.