ENDING POVERTY TOGETHER

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30 Days of Thanks

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WRITTEN BY Jess Bell

We’ve all been through a lot this year. Challenges in our career, homes, schooling, and health have been at the center of this past year. But even as these challenges arise, we still have SO much to be thankful for. Take a moment to think about something you are thankful for —right now—what comes to mind?

During the entire month of November, we’ll be sharing stories from the field, from our staff, from some of our partners, and hopefully from YOU too. Our hope is that over the next 30 days, you will know the difference God is making through you, and you will be reminded of the wonderful things to be thankful for during this season of hardship. Because the reality is that we can’t do the work that we do without you. 

Over this month, we will be adding daily stories of thanks to this blog. We will add a new story each day (kind of like a journal entry), so be sure to check back each day for new stories! We will also be sharing these stories on social media, so give us a follow on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

Share Your Stories of Thanks

Remember when we asked you what you’re thankful for right now? Share that with us on social by tagging us in your posts of thanks during the month of November and use the hashtag #30DaysofThanks! You can start your caption with “I’m thankful for…..” It’s encouraging to hear thankfulness in other’s lives, so let’s spread some joy!

Don’t forget to check back daily!

 

November 1, 2020

Masantu is a 33-year-old mother of four in Ethiopia. Before FH entered her community, her family struggled to have enough food to feed their children and enough clothes to wear. Their home was very old and because of that, the rain often leaked through, causing damage.

“We used to pray to God for intervention,” says Masantu.

When FH entered their community, they made sure to provide shelter to their family right away. They also received the gift of two goats and two hens. Because of this gift, within five months, their family was able to sell four chickens, purchase a goat, purchase clothing for their children, pay off a loan, and spend the rest on daily costs. Through this gift, their family is able eat a balanced diet and sell any additional eggs her family doesn’t need.

Thank you for your support which helps families all over the globe.

 

November 2, 2020

Mule is a 45-year-old mother of five in Ethiopia. Before FH entered her community, their family (and community) struggled with a lack of clean water and food insecurity. Mule’s family grew sick often because of the water-borne diseases in the unclean water they had to walk long distances to collect.

Through your support, FH was able to build a well in Mule’s community. This allowed the community to have access so safe, uncontaminated water they didn’t have to travel long distances to access.

Mule says, “After the construction of the hand-dug well my family members (especially the children) are healthy. We stopped going to health centers now and the waterborne disease decreased. We all are grateful to God and the donors who provide to improve our lives.”

 

November 3, 2020

When asked she was thankful for, Lelise responded,

“My name is Lelise. I thank God for sending his begotten Son to clean [me] from my sin. I thank God for being sponsored by FH and would like to say thank you to my sponsor for sponsoring me. Glory be to God!” —Lelise, Ethiopia

 

 

November 4, 2020

Today, all FH staff are virtually participating in our annual Day of Jubilee.

“I am so thankful that every year at Food for the Hungry, we come together for the Day of Jubilee, a day of rest, renewal, and thanksgiving. Our staff works hard to end all forms of human poverty worldwide and this day allows us to pause from our work, refresh our souls by connecting with God, and worship together in thanksgiving as we celebrate what God has done.” —Joyce Quon, Staff Care Manager

 

November 5, 2020

“I feel grateful because my school has had an outdoor clean water system. Now, after playing with friends and being thirsty, we have available water to drink.” —Chu, Vietnam

 

November 6, 2020

We asked YOU what you are thankful for, and this is what you said,
“Thankful for family” —Ghenere
“I will never forget what GOD has done for me during the whole period of the lockdown; hundreds of people lost their jobs, but it didn’t happen to me.” —Jules
“In a world full of bad news, we got some really amazingly good news today. Our family sponsors a child through @food4thehungry and today we were notified that her entire village is able to graduate from the program and be self-sufficient. My kids are beaming with joy for them.” —Jason

November 7, 2020

We are so thankful to be able to partner with friends like Switchfoot who are joining us in the fight against poverty. Through their help, we’re able to reach the most vulnerable around the world. Thank you, Switchfoot.

November 8, 2020

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” —Psalm 118:1

“Alabad a Jehová, porque él es bueno; Porque para siempre es Su misericordia.” —Salmo 118:1

November 9, 2020

“Hello, my name is Jessica. I’m from the Janlay community. I’m in fifth grade, and I’m grateful to my parents because they pay for my studies here. I’m grateful to God because we are together facing the good and the bad moments. Thanks God that my family is together.” —Jessica, Guatemala

November 10, 2020

“It’s blessed our family so much to become a part of this community. We will never forget this trip. I love that we’ve chosen as a family to be able to partner with a community like this and just say “yes” to [sponsoring] a little boy or a little girl who can benefit from some of these supports and these initiatives that FH provides.” Truth Becomes Her Erin Weidemann talks about her family’s trip to Peru to meet their sponsored child, Evelyn.

We are so thankful for partners like Truth Becomes Her who are fighting for the most vulnerable around the world alongside us. See more highlights of their trip.

November 11, 2020

When Carlos Nuñez became a sponsored child at age 9, he had no idea how much this sponsorship and Food for the Hungry would change his life and his community. From clean water to better education, Carlos began to see his community change and thrive. Through the letters he received from his sponsor family, he learned about God’s love and realized he had a second family who cared about and prayed for him.

Inspired by how FH had impacted his own life, Carlos is continuing this legacy of transformation as he not only sponsors a child himself but now works as a field liaison for FH.

We are so thankful to have such incredible FH staff like Carlos who pour out their heart and soul into the communities we walk alongside.

November 12, 2020

“Hello! I study in grade three. I am thankful for my grandmother.”— Sreyneath, Cambodia

“Hello! We study in grade three. We are thankful for our grandmother.” —Sreyneath and her friends, Cambodia

November 13, 2020

We asked YOU what you are thankful for, and this is what you said,

“I’m thankful for my family.” —Canaan

“Topher and I made the decision to sponsor a child through Food for the Hungry. Each month we give a little of our funds to grant this child hope for a better life. Her name is Danna, she is 10 years old and lives in the Philippines. She loves traditional games and science!” —Cass

November 14, 2020

What if sports could help end extreme poverty? At FH we believe they can! FH partners with many professional NFL and MLB players who have a heart for those living in poverty.

We are thankful for our FH partners as they continually use their platforms to advocate for the most vulnerable around the world.

November 15, 2020

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” —1 Corinthians 15:57

“Mas gracias sean dadas a Dios, que nos da la victoria por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.” —1 Corintios 15:57

November 16, 2020

We asked individuals that participate in FH programs all over the world what they are thankful for and this is what Marie Denise from Haiti had to say.

Marie Denise is grateful for food distributions. COVID-19 made life very hard for her family. The economy shut down, making it hard for anyone to find work. And food was desperately scarce. “We spent more than a week without finding something to put in our mouths. We had to boil herbal teas to hold on,” says Marie Denise. Thankfully they received food through FH food distributions so the family no longer went hungry.

Despite the hardships, Marie Denise has dreams for the future. “I would like to repair my house. I would like for my husband to find a stable job to support our family,” she says. “A big thank you for all you have accomplished in the community and our households.”

 

November 17, 2020

“Hi Everyone, My name is Charity. I live in Yepa community – Uganda. I am thankful to God for

protecting my community from the Covid-19 pandemic, keeping safe our sponsors, quality time we have with our families, good crop harvest in my community. I pray and hope our schools will be opened soon. May God continue to protect us. Love you all.” —Charity, Uganda

November 18, 2020

Amalia was a sponsored child with FH in Guatemala. She remembers hearing “Jesus loves you” for the first time in a letter she received from her FH child sponsor. Learning that God had special plans for her life encouraged her to have dreams and pursue them. Now, she’s a staff member at FH Guatemala helping communities like her own!

We are so thankful to have such incredible FH staff like Amalia who is so dedicated to the communities we walk alongside.

November 19, 2020

“Hello, my name is Brigita. I come from Betumonga’s Community (Mentawai Island-Indonesia). I thank to God now I am back to boarding school and meet with my friends here. I also thanks to God, He protects my family from peril/evil.” —Brigita, Indonesia

November 20, 2020

We asked YOU what you are thankful for, and this is what you said,

“Something I’ve been thankful for lately is the new friendships I’ve been able to make, develop, and strengthen even from afar thanks to technology. This past year, I’ve been able to take a step back and look at my worldview through a variety of different perspectives thanks to the new friendships I have developed.” —Nolan

“Thankful for God’s grace.” —Kelly

“A great honor and thanks to my almighty God for giving me this opportunity to serve my humble community as part of FH team and as part of my people too…Thank you for FHE (Food for the Hungry Ethiopia) for kindly supporting those vulnerable kids and societies by building…water structures and so many activities…before, they struggled to get a clean water supply but now thanks to the Lord and FH family they are getting their clean water for their daily activity too…I’m proud of this program indeed, seeing my community truly smile like this. Thank you again, family. God bless you.”—Adane

 

November 21, 2020

“Hello Dear Sponsor! I’m Amit. I am a FH sponsored child in Bangladesh. Last year whatever happened in my life, I’m very happy for that. Last year through FH I got a school bag, exercise book, pen, and healthy food package which encouraged me to study more. I thank LORD and my sponsor friend for this.” —Amit, Bangladesh

 

November 22, 2020

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” —Colossians 4:2

“Perseverad en la oración, velando en ella con acción de gracias.” —Colosenses 4:2

November 23, 2020

We asked individuals that participate in FH programs all over the world what they are thankful for and this is what Console from Rwanda had to say.

Console Muasabyemariya, a 36-year-old mom in Rwanda, says, “Due to low income, my family faced a problem of paying school fees and materials for my children, as well as health insurance for my family members.” First, FH provided a pig to the family, which provided not only meat but also income. Pork is a really popular meat in Rwanda and having a pig is like having a savings account — when trouble strikes, you can sell the pig for cash. Second, the family established a kitchen garden using vegetable seeds that FH provided. Console and other mothers in the community learned how to prepare nutritious food using their garden vegetables.

The family reports that they are grateful they can afford to eat more than once a day and pay for both school fees and medical insurance for their children. We are thankful for your support that allows families like Console’s thrive.

 

November 24, 2020

Are you a child sponsor with FH? Today, we want to thank YOU! We want you to know how grateful we are that you’re making a difference in the lives of vulnerable, precious children around the world through your sponsorship. As a sponsor, you are blessing a child with improved nutrition, access to clean water, education opportunities, and the knowledge that someone loves them. And that’s not all — you are helping children, families, and entire communities rise out of poverty and giving them hope for a brighter future. From the bottom our heart, THANK YOU for being an FH child sponsor!

November 25, 2020

We asked some of our US-based staff what they are thankful for, and this is what they said,

“I’m grateful for walks around my neighborhood where I can wave ‘hi’ to neighbors, see kids playing, and hear the quail calling each other as the sun sinks. —Beth

“I am grateful to God for my husband and 2-year-old son.” —Angelica

“I’m thankful for our new home and that there is a Trader Joe’s less than a mile away.” —Tim

“I’m thankful for a Ragdoll cat who makes me laugh every single day with his crazy antics.” —Lisa

November 26, 2020

“Hello friends, my name is Rodrigo and this is my puppy, Rocky. I am thankful to God for giving me a family and that no one got sick of coronavirus. Bye, that’s it.” —Rodrigo, Bolivia

“Thanks to my parents who have raised me since I was young until I grow bigger.”

Don’t forget to tell your family you love them today!

November 27, 2020

We asked YOU what you are thankful for, and this is what you said,

“I’m thankful for a loving family that supports me and my goals and dreams for the future.” —Ryan

“So thankful that we were able to sponsor a second child through Food for the Hungry this week! We’re looking forward to sponsoring more children soon and can’t wait to give our second annual Christmas gift this month.” —Patricia

November 28, 2020

“My name is Anitha from Kinama hill. I am thankful of FH to have supported me in the treatment of my eyes. FH paid for my medicine even the eyeglasses! For now, I study well, I attend school every day and I have very good marks in my subjects. Thank you!” —Anitha, Burundi

November 29, 2020

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” —Philippians 4:6

“Por nada estéis afanosos, sino sean conocidas vuestras peticiones delante de Dios en toda oración y ruego, con acción de gracias.” —Filipenses 4:6

November 30, 2020

Have you been joining us this past month during our #30DaysofThanks campaign? We shared stories of thanks from our field, our partners, our staff, and from YOU. Thank you for constantly joining us in the fight against all forms of human poverty. We can’t thank you enough.

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Gift Policy:
You may send small, flat paper-based items that can fit into a standard #10 size envelope, have a value of less than $5 dollars and weigh less than 4 ounces. We ask that you send small, flat items of this size because shipping is expensive and even small gift items can cause issues clearing customs.
You can send postcards or photographs, however, we ask that you visit here for more details about culturally appropriate guidelines for photos and other images. Please write the child’s ID # on the back of each item that you enclose with your letter to ensure that it reaches him/her.
 
Best gifts to send your sponsored child:
  • Paper dolls
  • Postcards
  • Pictures of yourself or family
  • Sports cards, individual cards (baseball, soccer, football)
  • Stickers (flat, paper-based, only a few at a time)
  • Paper-based simple bookmarks, stationery, drawing, or writing paper (single sheets)
  • Coloring pages (single sheets, not books)
  • Please do NOT send:
  • Monetary gifts
  • Liquids, candy, or food
  • Batteries or magnets
Please note, all items should be compliant with airline transport and safety regulations. Gifts that don’t meet the gift policy will be donated to a local Christian non-profit organization in Phoenix, Arizona, that works with low-income families. We will not be able to return them.