Hunger Ministry
We are called by God in Christ to bring good news and to proclaim release to those held captive by human structures and injustices. Discipleship means evaluating our lifestyle choices and adopting changes that reflect our faith and give witness to our commitments to mission and justice.
The HUNGER MINISTRY TEAM of PEVA, believing that hunger is unacceptable, leads and challenges the churches of PEVA and its entities in Christ’s name to alleviate chronic hunger and its immediate causes at home and abroad through information dissemination, education, advocacy, and the provisions of resources.
There is always a need for new members to join the PEVA Hunger Ministry Team please contact the PEVA office.
Nickel-A-Meal
If every member in our presbytery gave just 5 cents a meal, $54.75 a year that’s a lot of spare change!
Migrant Farm Workers & Seasonal Agriculture Workers Ministry
Please remember the Migrant Farm Workers and Seasonal Agriculture Workers in your prayers as they work in the fields with their families this season. Please consider adding this ministry to your outreach projects. Contact: jessica@pcusa-peva.org
Hunger Grants Available
Our neighbors in Southeastern Virginia, the Peninsula and the Eastern Shore are feeling the impact of the end of SNAP Emergency Allotments, this has dramatically reduced their monthly food budget, led to increased demand for food assistance at food banks and or church food pantries.
If your church is seeking funds for food and hunger related ministries PEVA's Hunger Ministry Team has grants available. Nickel-A-Meal (NAM) (for direct food relief only, grants due Aug 31st) and Church Community Hunger (limited to the community, not limited to food, & no deadline to apply)
PEVA Wide Cereal Campaign 2024
Children who rely on free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school often go without enough to eat during the summer at home. You and your church can step up to the bowl by collecting cereal and oatmeal to provide breakfast to children throughout Hampton Roads. Collect at your church keep hallf collected for your food ministry and donate the rest to the PEVA drive. Collect May 1st - June 2nd, 2024. Please drop off by all donations to the PEVA office (M-F 10 am-4 pm) no later than June 6th. Those Churches on the Eastern Shore may drop off at the Eastern Shore Food Bank and send PEVA's Hunger Action Advocate a total.
THE GOAL IS 3,000 BOWLS!
Hunger Facts
56% of households participated in one or more of the three largest federal nutrition assistance programs SNAP, WIC and the National School Lunch programs. (2021)
1 in 8 kids in the United States are living with hunger.
A total of $114 billion in SNAP benefits in the US was distributed (FY 2022.)
A total of $114 billion in SNAP benefits in the US was distributed (FY 2022.)
1 in 3 people facing hunger unlikely to qualify for SNAP
Hidden hunger is a term used to describe what happens when vitamins and minerals are not part of the diet.
In Virginia
1 in 13 people struggle to put food on the table!
(updated 9/21/23)
1 in 10 children face hunger.
More than 65% of SNAP participants are in families with children.
More than 35%
are in families with members who are older adults or are disabled.
More than
37% are in working families
(less than $25,000 a year)
Food Insecure In Virginia 704,270 which is 8.1% (2021)
12,305 youth participants, 3,553 adults participants and 1,109 teacher/volunteer participants in SNAP-Nutritution Education. (2023)
In Hampton Roads
1 in 4 children go to bed hungry
1 in 13 neighbors are food insecure
Average meal cost $3.48 )per person)
References, Bread for the World, No Kid Hungry, USDA , Feeding America, SNAP, South Eastern Food Bank and VA Department of Social Services, Eat Smart Move Smart.
(Updated 2/23/24)
Other Hunger Related Resources & Links
Hunger Action Congregation
UPDATE DATA
There are 182 Hunger Action Congregations across the country. The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) recognizes congregations that care for the hungry and are engaged in hunger ministry. PHP and your Hunger Action Advocate want to hear from congregations that are doing at least one of the following six activities: Hunger Alleviation, Development Assistance, Hunger Education, Worship, Lifestyle Integrity, Corporate and Public Policy Witness.
11 PEVA churches (Community Hampton, First United, Hilton, Groves Memorial, King's Grant, Saint Andrew, Simonsdale, Third, Royster Memorial, Williamsburg & Wycliffe) have taken the time to fill out the application.
So many PEVA’s churches are working in the areas of hunger, why not share all the great things you are doing and inspire others. If you would like help in completing the application or you would just like to share your hunger ministry you may contact
PEVA's Hunger Action Advocate
or 757-397-7063.
DOWNLOAD THE HOW TO BECOME A HUNGER ACTION CONGREGATION POSTER & PLACEMAT
Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP)
Become a Matthew 25 Church
We are called to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. We are invited to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor. Join in with our brothers and sisters and we can help our denomination (PCUSA) be a more relevant, unified presence in the world. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
Bayside, First PC Hampton, First United PC, King's Grant PC, Saint Andrew PC, Suffolk PC and New Horizons PC are Matthew 25 churches within PEVA.
PEVA's Congregational Vitality, Hunger & Peacemaking Teams encourages PEVA churches to become a Matthew 25 Church. If our presbytery has 20% or more of our congregations become Matthew 25 churches and embrace these areas of focus we are a certified Matthew 25 Presbytery. Let's be the church together as we are called to do.
There are 96 mid councils, 1,193 congregations and 67 other groups through out PCUSA that have committed to and embrace these areas of focus Building Congregational Vitality, Dismantling Structural Racism and Eradicating Systemic Poverty.
(updated 3/14/24)
Looking ahead to ‘A Year with Matthew for a Matthew 25 Church’
Confirmation for the Matthew 25 Congregation: Commissioned to Change the World
Engaging Matthew 25 Through Film – Building Congregational Vitality”
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 9AM-5 PM
Phone 757-397-7063
Fax 757-397-7246
Directions
801 Loudoun Ave.
Portsmouth, VA 23707
