47,000 Meals!

The past six months have been quite a journey for our H4H students here at Lipscomb University. Looking back, we can proudly say that we successfully launched a faith-based campaign, created a website, forged a social media base, and through our creativity and hard work, we opened hearts to hunger.

Thanks to generous donors and our hard working students and staff, Hearts4Hunger raised 47,000 meals for families in need, families right here in Middle Tennessee.

Tonight as we hold our final class meeting, we reflect on what else this 1st year campaign accomplished. Hearts4Hunger ________________________.

• Created a contact list of over 2,000 Middle Tennessee churches, complete with telephone #’s.
• Provided a source for researched hunger facts.
• Wrote a series of hunger sermons that congregations could use in future services.
• Established an extremely aesthetically pleasing brochure, with a lights-out logo, that could be used for future initiatives.
• Taught students how to launch a community organizing and fund raising campaign.

As we wrap up tonight, we would like to give special thanks to:

Scottsboro United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN
Tusculum Church of Christ, Nashville, TN
Station Camp Church of Christ, Gallatin, TN
Gateway Christian Center, Goodlettsville, TN
Una Church of Christ, Nashville, TN
Smith Springs Church of Christ, Nashville, TN
Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, Nashville, TN

We may not have reached our goal of 2,000,000 meals, but this is not the end. We raised 47,000 meals in half a year. Just imagine what Second Harvest Food Bank will do next year with the resources and information provided by Hearts4Hunger, and then imagine the year after that, and the next. We believe this campaign has set the framework for something beautiful. This is only the beginning.

“I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink” - Matthew 25:35

The Final Countdown

If our countdown clock is correct, the Hearts4Hunger campaign comes to a close in 2 days 17 hours and 50 minutes.

Over the past several months our students have learned what it means to truly launch a faith based community organizing project. It’s remarkable to look back upon students rallying together behind the call of Matthew 25:35 to see Hearts4Hunger through. As the final hours of this initiative draw to a close, we’re still working around the clock to secure commitments from local churches. If your congregation would like to join the campaign and take up an offering on Valentine’s Day, you may do so by clicking here.

We at Hearts4Hunger are thankful for the all support we’ve received from Second Harvest Food Bank, as well as the Christian community of Middle Tennessee. In two days we will be able to look back and see a community of people that united for a cause larger than themselves. As the final countdown approaches, remember that for every $1 raised, Second Harvest will be able to provide 4 meals to families in our community. 20 years from now, will you be able to look back and say you joined the battle to defeat hunger? The choice is yours.

For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. - Matthew 25:35

It’s Time For Change

Exciting news! You may now donate online by clicking here!

Remember, for every $1 donated, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee will be able to provide 4 meals to hungry families right here in your community. Today, one of our students emptied his cup holder to see what loose change laid in waiting. Turns out there was $2.53 just sitting idly by. This change, although small, is enough to provide a meal for 10 people who are desperately in need.

Even though that loose change in your couch and those spare coins in your cup holder don’t seem to mean a lot, they really can go a long way this holiday season. As Christmas approaches, we’re asking you to take a few minutes to sweep the change out from under the couch and really make a difference in a neighbor’s life.

I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink – Matthew 25:35

Things To Be Thankful For

Thanksgiving, a time to show gratitude for all the great things God has provided. Many regard this particular holiday as a joyous time to gather with loved ones, pop on some sweatpants, and eat until you can’t hold anymore… and then some. As our students traveled home for Thanksgiving vacation, we asked, “What are we thankful for?”

Here are a few responses we received:

I’m thankful for _____________________

• a family that loves me!
• a warm home and warm clothes.
• not having to worry when my next meal will come!
• a supportive church family that’s always there for me.
• Jesus Christ, who died for me.
• living in a country where I can be free.
• knowing that I won’t go to bed hungry tonight.

There are only 75 days remaining until Valentine’s Day 2010. As the semester comes to and end, our students are thankful to have an opportunity to help our hungry brothers and sisters of Middle Tennessee.

If God has blessed you, and you would like to make a contribution to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, please visit our website.

We would also love to hear what you’re thankful for this holiday season. To share, please send us an Email @ info@hearts4hunger.org

Wanting Company for Valentine’s Day

With 87 days until the big day, our students are staying busy!

Over the next few weeks we will be making phone calls to 100 Middle Tennessee businesses in and effort to gain support and contributions for the campaign. As students practice phone scripts and call companies, we’re keeping our hopes high. Every night, Tennesseans go to bed hungry. This is our chance to build a bridge between local companies and the hungry in our community. If your company would like to contribute to the campaign, please visit our our page for Companies!

Less Than 100 Days Until V-Day!

There are only 99 days, 9 hours, 40 minutes, 25 seconds until Valentine’s Day 2010! (Or so our fresh new website tells us)

As the Hearts4Hunger campaign progresses, there are several exciting new developments.

First, as you may have noticed, our website is fully up and running! http://hearts4hunger.org/

Second, we’re finalizing the H4H mailing packets (complete with stunning new pamphlets). These will be out the door and on their way to almost 2,600 Middle Tennessee churches in a matter of days!

Third, there are talks of creating stylish Hearts4Hunger t-shirts! More to come as this story develops.

As V-Day draws closer and closer, we realize there is still work to be done. Tennessee ranks as the 4th state in the nation in terms of having the most underfed children, and we have a chance to change that. By organizing the powerful religious community of Middle Tennessee, we will raise over 2,000,000 meals for our hungry brothers and sisters.

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it. Will you be making the Matthew 25:35 commitment?

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…”

1 = 4

Tonight we held a class at Lipscomb University to work on our Hearts4Hunger campaign. As the meeting began, our class was pumped to get started, but there was a certain rumbling in our stomachs. Thankfully, Dr. Charla Long provided the class with $65 worth of delicious Papa John’s pizza. Before the delivery boy could hop out the door, she informed him that with those $65 we could feed 260 people! The pizza boy laughed, remarking “No way. Not in America” as he left the building. The room fell silent as Dr. Long reminded each of us why we are here.

Hearts4Hunger is a campaign launched by Lipscomb University students to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. For every $1 raised from churches, individuals, and local businesses, Second Harvest can provide 4 meals for families in the lovely state of Tennessee. (Hence, the motto, 1=4)

The mission of the Hearts4Hunger initiative is to raise awareness of the impact of hunger in our local communities. This will be accomplished through a program that will encourage churches to take part in an effort to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee on Valentine’s Day of 2010.

Our goal is to raise over 2,000,000 meals for families right here in Middle Tennessee.

To learn more about Hearts4Hunger, follow us at http://twitter.com/Hearts4Hunger