If you are interested in starting the application process to be a Hunger Corps missionary, following is the detailed application process:

General Information on Hunger Corps:

What is Hunger Corps?
Hunger Corps is the overseas sending arm of Food for the Hungry

Where do Hunger Corps missionaries serve?

Asia: Bangladesh | Cambodia | China | Philippines | Indonesia

Africa: Burundi | Congo (DRC) | Ethiopia | Kenya | Mozambique | Rwanda | Uganda

Americas: Bolivia| Dominican Republic | Guatemala | Nicaragua | Peru

What is the average length of an assignment?
Term lengths are generally 3-4 years. Those wishing to serve in a long-term capacity may renew the contact to serve in the same, or a different, FH field. See FAQ #23 for information about our educational leave policy. Shorter service opportunities with Food for the Hungry are available through Short-term Teams, Internships and Go ED semester-abroad program.

What is the typical age of a Hunger Corps missionary?
The Hunger Corps program includes people of different ages: college graduates, recent retirees, mid-career professionals, couples and families are all serving with Hunger Corps.

How long does the application process take?
The time it takes to go through the application process depends on the pace at which you choose to move forward. See the steps in our application process for more information.

How long does the fielding process take?
After accepting a position, it takes the average Hunger Corps candidate 12 months to reach full funding and be placed in the field. Your timeline will depend on the specifics of your situation.

Are Hunger Corps positions salaried or support-raised?
All Hunger Corps positions are entirely support-raised. Basic training, tools, and coaching on support-raising will be provided

Do Hunger Corps receive Benefits?
Though Hunger Corps are raising their own salary, they are considered an employee of FH and therefore are recipients of benefits (vacation time, 401k, health insurance, and more). See question #19 for further details.

How much money do Hunger Corps need to raise?
The budget for a single person and a family varies substantially. The cost of living in some fields is more expensive than others. You will need to raise both monthly support and money for one-time setup costs. Prior to being fielded you must have 100% of your one-time setup costs raised, and have enough pledges from financial partners to cover all of your monthly support budget.

Qualifications/Requirements for Applying:

What are you looking for in applicants?
Some of the most important qualities we look for in an applicant include a servant’s heart; maturity in the Christian faith; demonstrated interest in life-long learning; and humility. These qualities can have more impact on whether an applicant is successful overseas than the person’s professional experience or education level. We do however look carefully at qualifications such as past employment experience or degrees to determine if there is a good "fit” between the applicant and the type of work we do overseas.

Do you have to be a Christian in order to serve with Hunger Corps?
Yes. Food for the Hungry exists to share Christ’s love in the hard places around the world by walking with churches, leaders and families to meet physical and spiritual hungers. Hunger Corps staff play an important part in sharing that message through their work, words and lifestyle. For more information, see Food for the Hungry’s Ministry Philosophy and Values.

I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I join Hunger Corps?
All Hunger Corps must be U.S. citizens or be legally employable in the United States.

How old do I need to be to apply for Hunger Corps?
At a minimum, Hunger Corps applicants must 1) be at least 18 years of age, 2) have a high school diploma and 3) be able to show three years of post-high school work or school experience. Those who do not meet these requirements are encouraged to explore other service opportunities with Food for the Hungry: Short-term Teams, Internships, and Go ED. study abroad program.

Can I serve with Hunger Corps if I don’t have a college degree?
A college degree is not a requirement for serving with Hunger Corps; however, the lack of a college degree may limit placement options due to visa regulations in certain countries.

I have student loans. Can I still serve with Hunger Corps?
Yes. Student loans do not have to stop you.

Do I need to speak a foreign language?
While knowledge of a foreign language is valued, applicants are not required to speak the language of the field they will be serving in prior to their arrival. Arrangements for language learning will be made for when you arrive in the country. A key priority of the first year in country will be language learning and cross-cultural adaptation.

I have a family with kids. Can I still serve with Hunger Corps?
We welcome families with children to serve with Hunger Corps. Access to healthcare and education is taken into consideration during placement.

Do I need to be connected to a local church in order to serve with Hunger Corps?
Food for the Hungry requires that people who serve with Hunger Corps are committed to a Faith Community/Church which would also act as your Sending Church. We define “commitment” as participation in a Faith Community/Church for at least one year. We define “Faith Community/Church” as a consistent collaboration of fellow Christians who seek the Lord and apply His word to their daily lives. Lastly, we define “Sending Church” as your primary supporting Faith Community Church committed to the overall well-being of you as a Hunger Corps (which includes moral support, communication, logistics, prayer/financial support, and re-entry).

Lifestyle/Benefits Issues:

Can I choose where I go?
We will attempt to place you in the field of your choice, but it will depend upon several other factors: position availability, experience/skills needed, visa regulations, language competency, etc. After the application process is complete placement will be worked out jointly with the FH Country Director of the field to which you are applying, a Fielding Coach, , and you.

Does Hunger Corps have employment/medical benefits?
Hunger Corps missionaries serving with Food for the Hungry have coverage for: health insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, workman’s compensation, social security and emergency evacuation.

What is the housing like for Hunger Corps?
Hunger Corps are free to choose the housing situation that fits them best, as long as it conforms to the field’s requirements for safety, availability, and cultural sensitivity. Some Hunger Corps choose to live with a host family in the community where they work, while others live by themselves or with another Hunger Corps roommate. We will help you to think through what type of housing is most appropriate for your specific situation. You will be responsible for obtaining your own housing in country, but the local staff can assist you with some of the initial setup.

What kind of preparation do Hunger Corps missionaries receive?
Orientation to Food for the Hungry and Hunger Corps is integrated into the application process. After the application process a basic training course is held at our US office in Phoenix, AZ, and is required for all Hunger Corps applicants. There is a more in depth training for applicants who are accepted as Hunger Corps candidates. In this second training you will visit our Phoenix office again for an employee workshop and Pre-Field training. Hunger Corps candidates attend this second training after they have raised approximately 75% of their budget, but before departing for the field. See the application process page for more information. Country or job-specific training is not provided by Hunger Corps prior to fielding.

Are Hunger Corps missionaries placed individually or as part of a team?
Hunger Corps are typically placed individually, but they are sent to work alongside and support the ministry of the local staff in the country where they serve. Hunger Corps are not placed in isolation from other FH staff, though you may or may not be the only American on your team. During the placement process we try to get to know you as much as possible so that we can find the place that would work best for you.

I’ve almost finished college, and I eventually want to pursue a graduate degree. Is it better to get the degree before going to the field, or after?
For your initial term on the field, having a Master’s degree is not going to be a particular benefit. Many Hunger Corps have commented that a three-year term in another country has helped them clarify what they want to study in graduate school. If you decide you want to pursue a graduate degree after your first term, and you believe that God may be leading you to remain with Food for the Hungry, you may go on an educational leave and pursue your degree while remaining on support.