Hope Quarterly Issue 15

Quarterly

SUM M E R 2 0 19

THE POWER OF TOGETHER DISASTER SERVICES UPDATE p. 07

HOPE FROM ASHES p. 14

“DISRUPTIVE COMPASSION” EXCERPT p. 16

1

SUMMER 2019

Quarterly 330 S. Patterson Ave., Springfield, MO 65802 Hope Quarterly is published by Convoy of Hope Published: Summer 2019

Editor-in-Chief | Kirk Noonan Chief Communications Officer | Roger Flessing Managing Editor | Levi Costello Content Editor | Jess Heugel

Creative Director | Josh Carter Designers | Aaron Davis & Misty Olivera Photographers | Rachel Helling, Nikki Simmons & Addy Posey Contributors | Lindsay Donaldson, Morgan Mills & Jeremy Williamson

Our Board Tom Carter, Dr. Aaron Cole, David Cribbs, Court Durkalski, Dominick Garcia, Dr. Nick Garza, Scott Howard, Dr. Sam Huddleston, Randy Hurst, Cheryl Jamison, Telvin Jeffries, Klayton Ko, Kay Logsdon, Brad Rosenberg, Dr. Bradley Trask, Sherilynn Tounger, Dishan Wickramaratne & Kirk Yamaguchi

Feedback | feedback@convoy.org Website | convoyofhope.org Twitter | @convoyofhope Facebook | /convoyofhope Postmaster | Send address changes to: Hope Quarterly 330 S. Patterson Ave., Springfield, MO 65802

On the Cover: Seven-year-old Anthony beams as he attends a Convoy of Hope Community Event this summer. He left with new shoes, a backpack, groceries, and a connection to services that will last long after the event.

Photographer: Jess Heugel Corrections: In the Spring 2019 edition of Hope Quarterly, we incorrectly reported that George and Donna Warren attended Trinity Church in Lutherville, Maryland, and their pastor was George Raduano. They attend Cornerstone Church in Bowie, Maryland, and are pastored by Mark Lehmann.

2

"If you can' t feed a hundred people, then feed just one."

-Mother Teresa

FROM THE PRESIDENT

VOLUNTEERS ARE THE KEY M

ost Tuesday nights at Convoy of Hope’s World Distribution Center in Springfield, Missouri, you’ll find a sea of dedicated volunteers assembling everything from grocery bags to hygiene kits. Many of the volunteers are even high school and college students who give up their evening to help people in need.

From El Salvador to Honduras, Kenya to Ethiopia, and at Community Events across the United States, I’ve seen entire communities roll up their sleeves to make a difference in their own backyards.

"At Convoy of Hope, we couldn’t help millions each year without the tens of thousands of volunteers."

At Convoy of Hope, we couldn’t help millions each year without the tens of thousands of volunteers. This quarter we’ve seen it over and over again — communities are continuing to step up and come together, and we have the privilege of linking arms.

On behalf of hungry children, struggling families, and disaster survivors, thank you to everyone who offers time and resources to give people hope. God bless you.

Hal Donaldson President | Convoy of Hope

3

CONVOY NEWS

Hands of Hope holds “Disruptive Compassion” launch party Hands of Hope volunteers were among the first to celebrate the launch of “Disruptive Compassion: Becoming the Revolutionary You Were Born to Be,” the latest book by Convoy of Hope CEO Hal Donaldson, Kirk Noonan, and Lindsay Kay Donaldson.

Hands of Hope is an open volunteer opportunity held on Tuesday nights at Convoy’s World Distribution Center in Springfield, Missouri.

On July 9, 161 volunteers gathered to practice disruptive compassion in their own lives. Lisa Nene, Volunteer Engagement Director, said she cherishes the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated volunteers; “I have the greatest job in the world!

Convoy wouldn’t be where we are without volunteers.”

“Disruptive Compassion” is currently available for purchase wherever books are sold.

Life.Church hosts distributions during spring floods During the springtime flooding that occurred across the Midwest, Life.Church stepped in and hosted points of distribution in Owasso, Oklahoma, and Fort Smith, Arkansas. A majority of Convoy’s relief work takes place at points of distribution, including the distribution of relief supplies, coordination of

4

volunteers, and organization of cleanup efforts. “Convoy of Hope, we feel, is truly one of the best in the world at taking resources and using them to help the end user, especially in disaster, which is something we feel passionate about,” said Craig Groeschel, Life.Church founder and senior pastor.

ICON Media Group: Champions for women everywhere ICON Media Group — a fullservice marketing agency that helps purpose-minded clients activate their audience — has helped train and provide start-up capital for women to start small businesses through Convoy of Hope’s Women’s Empowerment initiative.

“We are an entirely womenowned and operated business,” says ICON Partner Paige Collins. “So naturally we gravitated toward their Women’s Empowerment initiatives.

We love knowing that a piece of every campaign effort at ICON ultimately makes an impact on women around the world, helping break the cycle of poverty through Convoy’s initiatives.”

ICON has partnered with Convoy since 2013, but decided to be bolder and more intentional in their giving in 2016. According to their website, ICON currently donates 10% of their revenue to Convoy.

Malawi farmers thrive after Cyclone Idai

CONVOY NEWS

Cyclone Idai made landfall on March 15 near Beira, Mozambique. The neighboring countries of Malawi and Zimbabwe also experienced serious flooding. In all, an estimated 3 million people were affected, and more than 1,000 people died.

Convoy responded to massive flooding caused by the storm. In addition to providing 405,000 meals to more than 26,000 people, Convoy staff purchased and distributed maize seeds to farmers whose crops had been destroyed.

Today, these farmers are seeing a strong upcoming harvest thanks to Convoy and its supporters.

Convoy partners with NFL player Derek Carrier at free football camp

Nestlé Waters North America assists in Paradise response More than 10 months after the devastating Camp Fire destroyed most of Paradise, California, Convoy of Hope is still delivering water to residents. Convoy has delivered an estimated 1.4 million bottles of Nestlé Waters North America water in response to the Camp Fire. In all, we’ve been able to serve more than 92,000 individuals together in 2019 through this response.

Convoy of Hope partnered with Derek Carrier, tight end for the Oakland Raiders, during his youth football camp on Sunday, June 30. “I believe Convoy’s involvement will not only help serve those in need in the community but will also be an opportunity to model and practice serving others for adult volunteers and campers alike,” Carrier said. “It will also teach campers that there are greater purposes to athletics rather than just performance.” Students in third through eighth grade developed skills useful both on and off the football field, while Convoy distributed groceries, children’s shoes, and socks to campers, their families, and other members of the community.

5

CONVOY NEWS

Convoy celebrates 10 years of partnership with Georgia-Pacific

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries supplies hygiene kits

The Hershey Company gives back through Convoy of Hope

Since 2009, Georgia-Pacific has donated hundreds of truckloads of product to Convoy of Hope.

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tissue, pulp, paper, and packaging, their donations of paper towels, bath tissue, plates, and napkins are a valuable part of our relief distributions. In 2019, they have donated multiple truckloads of product.

Family-size hygiene kits are a valuable commodity following disasters, and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has been supplying them to Convoy since 2012. These kits — consisting of items like soap, shampoo, and deodorant — are distributed following disasters all around the world. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries joins local churches and ministries in their efforts to meet the needs of children, families, and communities.

The Hershey Company — makers of Hershey’s, Reese’s, and Twizzlers — has donated multiple truckloads of product this year. The candy and snack items have been distributed to partners, food pantries, and Community Events across the country. Hershey has also donated Krave Jerky, which has been distributed during our disaster response efforts.

Partner Feed My Starving Children donating 39 million meals Feed My Starving Children, a partner nonprofit based in Minnesota, is on track to donate more than 39 million meals to children through Convoy of Hope’s strategic feeding initiative in 2019. A gift-in-kind donor since 2006, Feed My Starving Children provides nutritionally complete meals specifically formulated for malnourished children.

6

CONVOY NEWS

Disaster Services teams assist 640,000 survivors in first half of 2019 In 2019, Convoy

T

his year, Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services teams have responded to 24 disasters, serving hundreds of thousands of people who have suffered from severe flooding, tornadoes, and other devastating disasters.

Alongside our partners, Convoy has witnessed great kindness as people come together to help those whose homes were flooded or destroyed. “Bringing communities together to help their neighbors recover is at the core of the work we do,” said Convoy’s National Spokesperson Jeff Nene.

Hundreds of volunteers have helped Convoy serve more than 640,000 individuals from California to the Philippines, and many places in between.

Fifteen outreaches held in Puerto Rico in 2019

of Hope has:

CONTINUED WITH 8 ONGOING RESPONSES DISTRIBUTED 114 LOADS SERVED 640,739 INDIVIDUALS MOBILIZED VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE 8,553 HOURS

Convoy of Hope has already held local Community Events at 15 sites throughout Puerto Rico in our continued effort to help those on the island recover from 2017’s Hurricane Maria. Convoy has similar events scheduled for September, October, and December. In total, more than 2,000 volunteers and 120 churches and organizations have shared hope with more than 6,300 Guests of Honor.

7

FEATURE

8

FEATURE

A Mother's Story HOPE AND SMILES CAME T O E M M A ' S FA M I L Y

By Jess Heugel

On

an unseasonably cool day in June, Emma entered a local rodeo arena with her sons Anthony and Gabriel, unsure of what she’d find. They weren’t there to see broncos or bull riders; Emma had heard about an event that could help her overcome the struggles she and her family were facing.

Month after month, the bills came due. Sometimes she and her husband could make it, but other times they found themselves at a local food bank. Their lives

had changed dramatically when they had Anthony. Anthony, who has special needs and is in a wheelchair, has to regularly visit a special doctor whose office is two hours away. Every drive costs the family what few resources they have.

“We can’t do anything else,” says Emma. “For instance, I need to build the access ramp for Anthony. But I can’t do it.”

For those like Emma living in vulnerable communities, life can spiral out of control

quickly through no fault of their own. The cushion to absorb unexpected costs is thin at best.

Because of that, even small wins can become life-changing experiences.

For the past 25 years, Convoy and an army of volunteers has been serving across the United States, and now around the world, through Community Events. These events provide critical services that are often unreachable when money is tight. continued on page 10

9

FEATURE

“Poverty is stressful. And I think that our Community Events give people a break from that ... It’s a de-stress zone.”

“We bring together churches, service providers, and people from all over the community,” says Convoy of Hope’s Jason Bachman, who led the event that Emma and her family attended. “It creates a platform for existing organizations, who sometimes aren’t even aware of each other, to come together and serve. These events create opportunities for the novice and the expert to come together to serve their cities.”

When Emma and her kids entered the grounds, volunteer greeters welcomed them to each tent. Gabriel bumped along in his stroller as Anthony hurried to grab a new pair of shoes at the Children’s Shoes tent. A volunteer helped him get fitted, and he proudly held up his new sneakers after pulling out the crumpled paper stuffed in the toes. These were new shoes.

His shoes.

Anthony impatiently zipped toward the Kids Zone. He drove his wheelchair to the sloped entrance of a bouncy castle where he was met by a volunteer who obviously didn’t know who she was dealing with. Not to be slowed down, Anthony thrust his body forward. He landed on his hands and knees and stormed the castle. His face exuded pure joy as he jumped around that inflatable castle just like the other kids. With his body in midair, Anthony smiled and shouted for his mom.

10

FEATURE

Community Events 2018

96,488 2,097 27,700 161,344 Emma smiled like any parent, thrilled to see her child so happy.

“Poverty is stressful,” says Bachman. “And I think that our Community Events give people a break from that. On that day, people can let go of their problems, even if it’s just for a couple of hours.”

As Emma and her family walked the grounds, the Health Services tent caught her eye. She noticed representatives from Anthony’s children’s hospital, so she stopped to talk with them.

Taking as much time as her kids would allow, she began to craft a plan with the hospital.

Weeks after the event, we caught up with Emma to see how she and her family were doing.

As she shared her progress over the phone, pots and pans rattled in the background as she prepared lunch for the kids.

“Since the event we’ve been doing good,” she says. “Visiting the [children’s] hospital really helped.” The arrangements she made with the hospital at the Community Event had already saved them hours of driving and extra travel expenses. That connection likely wouldn’t have been made without the Community Event and the volunteers who made it happen … together.

Guests of Honor Churches & Organizations Volunteers Bags of Groceries

At Emma’s Event

3,531 1,620 1,800 94

Guests of Honor Children’s Shoes

Backpacks Veterans served

11

LEARN ABOUT

12

SERVING TOGETHER

Women’s Empowerment

Agriculture

When women are given the opportunity to generate income, it impacts the economic standing of their families and communities. We want to empower women around the world to make strategic, independent life choices through our communitybased training, which incorporates non-traditional micro-enterprise development models.

Food security transforms communities by lifting people out of dependence on others for their daily sustenance. Through our Agriculture program, we equip vulnerable farmers and their families with the skills, tools, and seeds to produce life-sustaining crops. Local farmers harvest many meals each year for our Children’s Feeding program, which simultaneously generates income for them.

Community Events

Disaster Services

Communities are the heart of counties, states, and nations. Convoy of Hope is committed to working with local volunteers, businesses, agencies, churches, and organizations who believe in building stronger communities through generosity and kindness. At our Community Events, we partner with such entities to provide free groceries, health and dental screenings, haircuts, family portraits, veterans' services, hot meals, career service training, and much more to those who may not have the means to access these resources themselves.

We’ve responded to hurricanes, typhoons, ice storms, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, droughts, and floods in the U.S. and throughout the world. Why? To give people help and hope in times of great need. Highly regarded for our scalable distribution model, Disaster Services teams, six international warehouses, and Mobile Command Center, Convoy of Hope is consistently among the first to respond to disasters throughout the world.

Rural Compassion Initiative

Poverty and hunger have gained a devastating edge in America’s rural communities. Through this initiative, we resource, empower, and partner with rural churches through training, mentoring, and coaching.

We believe their increased presence and partnership with local leaders help strengthen and enrich their communities.

Children’s Feeding

A nutritious meal opens doors to providing children and their families with education, job and agriculture training, a sense of hope, and greater opportunities. We believe children are essential members of their communities. As future leaders, they’ll have the opportunity to one day bring positive change to their countries by breaking the cycles of poverty and hunger. We use regular meals in schools as a starting point to build and support thriving communities.

13

H

O

P

E

F

R

O

M

A S H E S 14

MINI FEATURE

By Jeremy Williamson A standard Sunday afternoon of family meals, church services, and children playing soccer in the street was violently interrupted.

The immense power of a volcanic explosion shook the ground and sent a thick black cloud of ash rocketing into the Guatemalan sky. Within minutes, the village of San Miguel Los Lotes was devastated by pyroclastic flow, burying homes in superheated ash and claiming hundreds of lives.

The eruption of the Fuego volcano in June 2018 shook this region of Guatemala to its core. Residents of Los Lotes still cry as they recount their stories of tragedy and survival.

After the eruption, Convoy of Hope’s International Disaster Services team worked with Guatemalan partners to provide much-needed supplies.

The team spent several days among disaster survivors in relief shelters delivering food, water, and often hugs and prayers.

During their stay in Guatemala, the team sensed that this region needed

ongoing support. They thought the country could benefit from the training and resilience development Convoy provides through our Disaster Training initiative. The initiative’s goal is to empower local leaders and organizations to engage with their communities, working to improve resilience through mitigation and disaster preparedness projects.

Graduates are certified by Convoy

representatives from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean participated in preparedness and resilience training. After two full days of classroom instruction, the students were taken by bus to San Miguel Los Lotes. As the students walked through the abandoned ruins of the village, Alejandra, a local resident, shared her first-hand experience of the terrible day in 2018. Through tears, Alejandra explained how she had lost her home and seven family members to the volcano; yet she had not lost hope.

“Through tears, Alejandra explained how she had lost her home and seven family members to the volcano; yet she had not lost hope.” of Hope to hold preparedness training events and lead local disaster response efforts. Key leaders from the region were eager to host a training event.

In July of 2019, the International Disaster Services team returned to Guatemala. More than 100

In fact, as these newly trained leaders from eight nations stood atop the devastation, it seemed as though a beautiful kind of hope was beginning to spring up from the ashes of Fuego.

Though heartbroken by what they saw and heard, the graduates were armed with the information and inspiration they needed to share hope in their own hometowns.

15

16

An excerpt from “Disruptive Compassion”

D

isruptive compassion is not code for sanitizing the world or condemning people who don’t measure up to your standards.

Jesus never taught that. He led with grace and mercy, not judgment. He refused to isolate himself from those society considered unholy or unclean. He never said, “Go unto all the earth with thy pail of Lysol and scrubbeth every corner of thy globe.” No, disruptive compassion is not a mission to decontaminate people.

It’s not an excuse to clean up those deemed dirty or lowly.

Instead, it’s a declaration that every person is valued and loved just as they are. It’s a conviction that people shouldn’t have be to be malnourished.

The sick shouldn’t have to die. The abused shouldn’t have to suffer.

Disruptive compassion is a rejection of the status quo and a belief that a tidal wave of love and acts of kindness can heal a wounded world.

This is not a superficial game, with token deeds to make us feel good. To change the world, disruptive compassion has to go deep. It requires new priorities, values, and logic.

It means a radical commitment to the Golden Rule: “Do for others what you want them to do for you.” The tide of hatred and racism will not be stemmed by more hatred. Tyranny will not turn to peace because of violent protests.

Corporations will not exercise social responsibility because of insincere boycotts. Criminals will not be brought to justice by empty petitions. Social change begins with people like you disrupting their lives and choosing to make each day a relentless demonstration of love, respect, and sacrifice.

You want to change the world? The common advice is to “jump out of the recliner and do the next kind thing in front of you!” Maybe you find yourself feeling like I did for years--paralyzed by fear because I didn’t believe I could make a difference. I had resigned myself to watching poverty, racism, human trafficking, and crie play out on the world’s IMAX screen.

I felt powerless and insignificant. I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t have the confidence to try. If that sounds like you, I pray this book is your road map to greater influence in a world that needs your voice …

As you read [Disruptive Compassion] and embark on your own journey, ask yourself this bottom-line question: What’s holding you back from becoming the revolutionary you were born to be? What needs to happen in your life for you to establish new priorities and shape new disciplines? This is your moment. The world needs you.

17

18

Your gift enables us to help where most needed.

MAKE A DONATION

HQ0819

GIFT AMOUNT

BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR $25

$ Credit Card

$50 Cash

Check

CONTACT INFORMATION Name Address City

State

Phone

ZIP

Mobile* Email

CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

A Little Light Reading ...

State Nonprofit Disclosures: Certain states require written disclosures for nonprofit organizations soliciting contributions. Certain states require written disclosures for nonprofit organizations soliciting contributions. Florida: A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free, within the state, 1.800.435.7352 (800 HELPFLA), or visiting www.floridaconsumerhelp.com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. Florida registration #N17000010340. Georgia: A full and fair description of our programs and our financial statement summary is available at convoy.org/financials or upon request at 417-823-8998. Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage, from the office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Convoy of Hope may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1.888.236.6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement. Nevada: Contributions may be tax deductible pursuant to the provisions of sec. 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. ī170(c).

New Jersey: Information filed with the attorney general concerning this charitable solicitation and the percentage of contributions received by the charity during the last reporting period that were dedicated to the charitable purpose may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling 973.504.6215 and is available on the internet at state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.html. Registration with the attorney general does not imply endorsement. New York: Upon request, from the Attorney General Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1.919.814.5400. The license is not an endorsement by the state. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of convoy of hope may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1.800.732.0999. Virginia: From the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: From the Secretary of State at 1.800.332.4483 or www.sos.wa.gov/charities. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial financial statement of the charitable organization disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue and expenses for the preceding fiscal year will be provided to any person upon request. Registration with a state agency does not constitute or imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by that state. For more information about charity fundraising disclosures, visitlabyrinthinc.com/resources/nonprofit-regulations/fundraising-disclosure-statements. For more information on charity fundraising license, visit labyrinthinc. com/resources/annual-charitable-state-registrations/charity-solicitation-registration -white-paper.

Credit Card # Expiration Date

Security Code

Name On Card Signature *SMS service is available on most carriers. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Reply STOP to 50555 to STOP. Reply HELP to 50555 for HELP. Full terms: mGive.com/E

Donate online at convoy.org/donate/hq15 Thank you for your generosity. All gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Please make checks payable to:

P.O. Box 1125 Springfield, MO 65801

19

21

ERIKA 20

STO

A’S

By Levi Costello

E

rika’s enthusiasm is contagious.

Day after day, women visit her to get their hair, makeup, and nails done. But they often leave with an emotional boost outshining even their physical transformation.

That's because Erika isn't just a skilled entrepreneur — she's a community changer.

Before getting connected with Convoy of Hope, Erika’s life was difficult. Trying to provide enough food and shelter for her daughter was a constant struggle.

Erika ended up picking up trash in exchange for food. When she learned from a friend that Convoy of Hope was going to start a women’s program in her area, Erika quickly took advantage of the opportunity.

ORY

MINI FEATURE

Over the course of seven months, Erika learned skills needed to run her own cosmetology business.

Knowledgeable and friendly staff members guided her and other women through training courses, imparting wisdom and encouragement along the way.

“I've been through a very, very difficult situation, but Convoy of Hope was always on my side with me. I received a lot of support from Convoy of Hope — psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually speaking,” she says. “They always made me feel like I was important. I found a family there.”

Erika knew without a doubt what she wanted to achieve with her newfound skills: Open her own salon.

Today, Erika’s dreams of providing for her daughter, strengthening her community, and opening her own business are becoming reality … and she’s paying it forward.

The relationship between a cosmetologist and the client is much more than a business transaction.

Rather, it's often a relationship that lasts a lifetime. And Erika takes every chance she’s given to uplift the women who sit in her chair, investing in her clients the way others invested in her.

“I feel like everything I do, I do it with my whole heart. My job is a blessing. I feel honored to help other women feel beautiful and help them know they can do something for themselves,” she says.

21

Q&A

For more than 20 years, Ambassador Hall served in the U.S. Congress representing the state of Ohio. In 1992, he was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. A threetime nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, he currently serves as Executive Director Emeritus of the Alliance to End Hunger in Washington D.C. and as the special adviser on global hunger for Convoy of Hope.

Ambassador Hall recently spoke at a Convoy of Hope event. Below are excerpts from that session.

On why he began advocating for the hungry: I was drawn to this cause of hunger because of the suffering that I witnessed many years ago when I saw 25 children die in Ethiopia. I never got over it. Ethiopia at the time was undergoing a civil war and a famine. You couldn’t get into the country, and then all of a sudden the dictator of the country at the time allowed people to go in. I was the first American elected official to get in. I was not prepared for what I was going to see. I thought I had

22

seen poverty, malnutrition, and people living on the edge, but I was not prepared. I saw 10,000 people, tired, lay down and start to die. As I walked between them … they were exhausted.

Malnourished. Dehydrated. The mothers … were handing me their children that were already dead. I think they thought I was a doctor. That maybe I could do something about it. I couldn’t do a thing. I was stunned.

On the progress in the fight against hunger: I could tell you story after story

Q&A

of the bad news … but there is good news.

And we are actually winning the global war on hunger and poverty. This is amazing! Most people don’t know this. When I stood on a stage 40 years ago, I would tell the audience that 32,000 children are going to die that day from hunger and malnutrition. Today, the number is 16,000. Now, that’s cutting hunger in half. Sixteen thousand is still a lot of people, but … what Convoy of Hope is doing is working. We still have more to do, but we are winning the war on hunger.

On why he works with Convoy of Hope: One of the things that impresses me with Convoy of Hope is how flexible and nimble this organization is. But as an organization, no one gets to a disaster faster than Convoy.

Nobody assesses and customized solutions more effectively. None takes a more complete view of a community’s needs. I don’t wish the agony of a natural disaster or the threat of climate shock on anyone, but I know who is learning to deal with it. I know who can roll up their sleeves and build sustainable solutions.

And I know who’s going to be right there on the front lines when the war is won. It’s going to be Convoy of Hope.

On meeting Mother Teresa: She gave me a good word the first time I met her in Kolkata. She took me downtown in a very densely populated area. There was a man lying in the street, and he looked like he was dead. She got some men to pick him up and take him back to her hospice. She began to wash him off, whisper in his ear, and give him a massage, and talk to him in a very sensitive and loving way. And she came back to me and said, ‘Not everyone like you can come to Kolkata. Go back to the United States and tell everybody to do the thing that’s in front of you. So what’s in front of us? Convoy of Hope.

We can end hunger, and we can do it in our lifetime. Let’s do it. Do the thing that’s in front of you.

23

SERVING TOGETHER

JOIN THE

Go on a Trip

Your group can serve on a Field Team to show the world that “Hope Works.� Email teams@convoyofhope.org to learn more about how you can make a lasting impact by working with Convoy of Hope in the field. Be sure to check out convoyofhope. org/teams for upcoming opportunities.

Service areas include: Puerto Rico Slovakia Moldova Spain Other European Countries El Salvador

24

Honduras Philippines Tanzania Kenya Rockaway Beach, Missouri Mississippi Delta Region Appalachia Region

Volunteer with Us

Our Community Events couldn’t happen without dedicated volunteers.

If you’re looking for a way to make a tangible difference in your community, connect with us and serve at a Community Event near you!

September Cleveland, Ohio Kansas City, Missouri Caruthersville, Missouri Flint, Michigan Fort Worth, Texas Konawa, Oklahoma October Monroe, Louisiana November Albuquerque, New Mexico San Jose, California Lake Village, Arkansas 25

SERVING TOGETHER

HELP

WAYS TO

Speak with influencers.

Pack a hygiene kit.

• Encourage movers and shakers in your community to partner with Convoy.

• Join those in your community to provide hygiene kits that help people around the world with their everyday needs.

• Download the instructions at convoyofhope.org and fill out the form so that we know you’ll be sending in kits.

Feed a child through feedONE. • Provide food for a child in school at one of our program centers for the cost of a movie ticket or lunch.

• Visit feedone.com and join us as we change the world one child at a time.

Join Convoy: Women.

• Convoy:Women is a sisterhood who advocates for the work Convoy does and the women they serve.

• Visit Convoy’s website to learn how to get involved.

Engage digitally.

• • •

26

Like and follow us on social media.

Hold a Facebook fundraiser for your birthday.

Share Convoy updates within your networks.

PLANNED GIVING

Deliver Hope, Invest Wisely W

hether you are there providing disaster relief, getting groceries to a family at a Community Event, or helping feed children in need around the world — you are bringing hope and changing lives.

We often receive questions from partners about how they can make their giving go farther. As the end of the year approaches, here are a couple of important ways you can do just that — and possibly reap a tax benefit, too.

1. If you are age 70½ or older, consider making a charitable rollover gift from your IRA. It applies to your minimum required distribution, and it can: • Lower your tax bracket.

• Lower your federal taxes.

• Allow you to give a larger gift without being subject to Charitable Gift Deduction limitations.

• Reduce your state taxes.

2. Another great way to help feed the world and respond to disasters is through a donation of appreciated assets or stocks. Avoid capital gains tax on the appreciated value by donating appreciated stock directly to Convoy of Hope rather than selling the assets and then donating the proceeds.

Your partnership through either of these strategies will give hope to those in need through important outreaches like Disaster Services, Community Events, Women’s Empowerment, and the Children’s Feeding initiative.

For more info, contact us at hopesociety@ convoyofhope.org or (417) 823-8998.

27

Visit us online at: convoyofhope.org

28