2021 Summer Celebration Online
2021-07-22
5-7 PM Central, 6-8 PM Eastern
Our Summer Celebration and Annual Meeting will be held online once again this year. Learn how we are all using our gifts to make a lasting difference around the world. Hear updates from our neighbors – both nearby and far away, and a conversation with Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, President of Sojourners. Please join the celebration!
REGISTER NOW

Hope in Palestine: Food Security Amidst Conflict
2021-06-10
6:30 PM Central / 7:30 PM Eastern
Join us as the staff of Mennonite Central Committee shares about their ongoing work in Palestine, including the Growing Hope Globally funded Palestine Gaza program. Learn how these efforts toward food security are providing a glimmer of hope in the midst of ongoing conflict.
REGISTER NOW

Seed Banks and Self-Sufficiency: New Programs in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cameroon
2021-03-11
6:30 PM Central / 7:30 PM Eastern
Join us for a conversation with Valery Nodem of PC(USA) – Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Winston Carroo of Agricultural Missions Inc. as they talk about the two new Growing Hope Globally supported programs in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cameroon.
Learn why seed banks are a critical strategy for improving food security in the region, and how partners are working to build resiliency and engage youth in the projects to increase sustainability.
REGISTER NOW

From Disaster to Hope: Stories of Resilience from Central America
2021-01-14
7:00 PM Central / 8:00 PM Eastern

2020 was a year filled with challenges for families around the globe. COVID-19 and hurricanes have increased poverty and hunger across Latin America. Learn how Church World Service, Growing Hope Globally, Week of Compassion and World Renew are working to build resilience through sustainable agriculture programs.

Martin Coria, Church World Service’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean will be sharing stories of how partners have been helping communities prepare for unexpected challenges in Honduras and Nicaragua and how communities are already working to rebuild and recover.

Additional speakers include: Maurice Bloem of Church World Service; Max Finberg of Growing Hope Globally; Vy Nguyen of Week of Compassion; and Carol Bremer-Bennett of World Renew.

REGISTER NOW

Dominican Republic Cooking Class
2020-12-15
6:30 PM Central / 7:30 PM Eastern
Join us for a Dominican Republic Cooking Class!
Chef Gabriella Paez will be preparing a dish from her home country, the Dominican Republic. The featured dish will be mangú con los tres golpes. This platter is a great representation of the Dominican kitchen and the country’s agriculture.
Alex Morse will share about the Dominican Republic San Juan and Dajabón program that Growing Hope Globally supports.
Although we are unable to travel to visit overseas programs at this time, we look forward to connecting with Growing Project volunteers and learning more about the Dominican culture!
REGISTER NOW

World Food Prize Event
2020-10-14 16:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago)
Around the world, more than 690 million people suffer from hunger. You can make a difference with Growing Hope Globally’s unique volunteer opportunity.
Join us for this special event to learn how farmers and high school students are making a lasting impact and helping to improve food security around the world. We’ll highlight the story of an FFA chapter in smalltown Iowa and share resources developed with NASAE to help students, teachers, and community leaders start working to end hunger today.
Hear from Max Finberg and Ron DeWeerd of Growing Hope Globally, Lauren Crawford of Belmond-Klemme FFA, and Juleah Tolosky of the National Association of Supervisors Agricultural Education.
This virtual event is part of the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug Symposium and Global Youth Institute.
Register Now

Hike to End Hunger
2020-08-29 08:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Dayton Bluffs Preserve, Dayton Bluffs Preserve, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States
Organized by the Earlville, Mazon/Western Springs, Somonauk, and Twin Rivers/Barrington Growing Projects
This year with the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions these Growing Projects will not be able to have their normal harvest celebration so instead they are organizing this event. We hope it will be a fun and creative way to continue to raise support to end hunger while meeting pandemic restrictions. All support raised by this event will be used to support the Tanzania Chamwino program.
Our goal with this event is to raise $19,750. This will allow us to support about 360 people with training that will better equip farmers to feed themselves and their families.
Please join us!
Register Now

2020 Online Summer Celebration
2020-08-11
6:00PM Central / 7:00PM Eastern
Join Growing Hope Globally’s 2020 Online Summer Celebration!
The Growing Hope Globally family won’t be able to gather in person this year, but we can still gather online! Whether you have never attended a Summer Celebration or you attend every year, we hope you will join us. The event will include an update on what has been happening at Growing Hope this year, highlights from our overseas programs and much more!
Register Now

Promotional Resources

Press Release

Available as a PDF for easy sharing with friends and family. Download Here

Social Media and Facebook

Overseas Program Feature : Nepal

Suggested Post Text:
Farmers like Binda Devi and Shyam are using new techniques to expand their farming operations. Join us August 11th at 6pm Central / 7pm Eastern to learn more how we are making a difference in the lives of farmers around the world. Register for free today – bit.ly/GrowingHopeSummer

Image for Facebook – to be posted 7/20
Image for Instagram

Overseas Program Feature : Kenya

Suggested Post Text:
In addition to providing training on new farming techniques, Growing Hope Globally also supports families in rural areas with job training. This way families have incomes even in poor crop years. Join us August 11th at 6pm Central / 7pm Eastern to learn more how we are making a difference in the lives of farmers and families in rural areas around the world. Register for free today- bit.ly/GrowingHopeSummer
Image for Facebook – to be posted 7/30
Image for Instagram

Overseas Program Feature : Honduras

Suggested Post Text:
In addition to providing training on new farming techniques, Growing Hope Globally also supports families to better care for the soil and environment where they live. This helps mitigate the impact of droughts and floods that are increasingly common. Join us August 11th at 6pm Central / 7pm Eastern to learn more how we are making a difference in the lives of farmers and families in rural areas around the world. Register for free today – bit.ly/GrowingHopeSummer
Image for Facebook – to be posted 8/4
Image for Instagram

FFA Belmond Klemme Feature

Suggested Post Text:
Growing Hope Globally provides support to farming families in low-income countries. Our funding supports training, tools, and community empowerment that lead to increased yields, higher incomes, and better health. FFA chapters in IA, IL, and IN are already making a global impact by helping to grow lasting solutions to hunger. Join us August 11th at 6pm Central / 7pm Eastern to learn more about how we are making a difference in the lives of farmers and families in rural areas around the world. Register for free today – bit.ly/GrowingHopeSummer
Image for Facebook – to be posted 7/27
Image for Instagram

Event Summary for Newsletters
(click on the image to download the full resolution image)
Growing Hope Globally will be hosting an online Summer Celebration and Annual Meeting this year on August 11th at 6pm Central / 7pm Eastern. The event will feature an overview of our global impact, a message from Rev. Tim Ritchey Martin of the Myersville, MD Growing Project, and brief updates from partners in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Honduras, India, Kenya, Nepal, and Zimbabwe. Learn more about how we can make a lasting difference in the lives of our global neighbors suffering from hunger, especially during the pandemic, this will be an excellent opportunity to engage in the work you make possible. You can register for free at bit.ly/GrowingHopeSummer or GrowingHopeGlobally.org

Growing Healthy Communities: The link between health & food security
2020-04-07 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago)
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
6:30 PM Central / 7:30 PM Eastern
With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, community health is on everyone’s mind. However, many rural communities around the world deal with health challenges all the time. Have you wondered how Growing Hope Globally’s partners work to promote good health throughout the year? Join us for a look at some of the health initiatives happening in communities around the world and learn why health is a key part of food security.
With Growing Hope Globally staff Alex Morse & Rachel Conley
Click to Register
Can’t join us on April 7? Register anyway and you will receive a link to listen to the recording at your convenience.

Harvest Celebration Schedule
2019-09-22 - 2019-11-24
Join us at a Harvest Celebration in your area!
Please email info@growinghopeglobally if you need more information or would like your Celebration posted.
ILLINOIS
Sunday, September 29
Hopedale IL Growing Project – Hopedale Mennonite Church
Picnic and hayride after church starting around 12pm when St. John’s Lutheran church members arrive.
Saturday, October 12
Polo IL Growing Project – Polo Church of the Brethren Fellowship Hall
401 S. Congress Ave Polo IL 61064
Lunch, 11 am.
If corn is dry enough, there may be some harvesting and combine rides.
Saturday, October 19
Somonauk/Earlville/Ottawa IL Growing Project – Sandwich IL Fair Grounds
Gathering for worship at 10 am, then lunch and a full day of family friendly activities. The pie auction concludes the day beginning sometime after 1:30. Horse drawn wagon rides, “train” rides, sheep shearing, cider pressing, wheat milling, line dancing demonstration, Woody’s Orchard donuts, children’s activities including gutter boat races, pedal tractor races, butter making, corn box. Everyone is welcome! There is no admission charge; we ask for a donation for lunch which goes to help people in developing countries learn how to grow their own food.
INDIANA

Saturday, October 26
Ashley IN Growing Project – Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren
1993 Co Rd 8, Ashley, IN
Corn shucking contest, horse drawn wagon rides, trunk or treating, lunch and more. 10 a.m. to lunchtime.
Rain Date: November 2
Sunday, October 13 3:00 pm
Immanuel UCC Indiana Growing Project
Join us for fellowship, a hotdog roast and soybean harvest!
9165 N County Line Rd
1000 W, Lafayette, IN 47905
IOWA

Sunday, September 22
Burlington IA Growing Project – Burlington First Christian Church
221 Park Ave, Burlington IA
Global Farmer Experience – 12 pm
Sunday, November 24
Preston IA Growing Project – St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Harvest Celebration Meal and Worship Service – 6–8 pm
MARYLAND
Sunday, September 29
Myersville MD Growing Project
11720 Wolfsville Road, Myersville, MD
Harvest Festival: Cake auction, foods from Burkina Faso, scarecrow workshop, games, hayride – 2:30 pm
MICHIGAN

Wednesday, October 2
Friendship CRC Mission Dinner
190 100th St SE, Byron Center, MI 49315

5:00-6:45 PM
Join us for a delicious dinner and learn about the various missions supported by Friendship, including Growing Hope Globally. Know someone who might be interested in joining a Growing Project in the area? Invite them to stop by and visit Rachel Conley at the Growing Hope table.
OHIO

Sunday, November 10
Edgerton OH Growing Project
Edgerton United Methodist Church
307 N Michigan Ave, Edgerton, OH 43517
Join us for some fall favorites while supporting Growing Hope Globally! Soup & Pie Luncheon, 11 am – 2 pm

PENNSYLVANIA

Sunday, September 22
Rochester, PA Growing Project
St. John’s Burry’s Church, 1835 S.R. 68, Rochester, PA 15074
Harvest Home Service – 7:30pm
WASHINGTON
Saturday, October 26
Yakima WA Growing Project – Wiley Heights Covenant Church
12504 Gilbert Rd, Yakima WA
Sharing the Harvest Packing Day & Celebration – 11 am

WEBINAR: A LEGACY OF HOPE – IMPACTING GENERATIONS IN NEPAL AND CAMBODIA
2019-06-11
Tuesday, June 11th at 6:30PM CST / 7:30PM EST With Rachel Conley and Emily Vincent – We all want to leave a legacy for the next generation that includes hope, opportunity and the promise of a better life. This desire is even stronger when you live in extreme poverty and watch your children and the children in your community suffer from hunger.
Rachel Conley and Emily Vincent traveled to Nepal and Cambodia to visit the people participating in the food security programs we fund. Join us as they share stories that help us understand the realities of what marginalized people in Nepal and Cambodia live with every day, as well as the enduring hope they hold for a brighter future, thanks to the positive changes they’ve brought about with your encouragement and support!
Join us as we look at the generational impact you have as a supporter of Growing Hope’s mission.
Invite others to watch with you or to register and watch on their own!
Can’t make it the evening of June 11th? No problem! Register anyway and receive a link to the recording that you can view at your convenience.

Hope vs. Hopelessness: The Link Between Hunger and Immigration
2019-04-30
Lunch-n-Learn Webinar
Stories from Central America
with Alex Morse and Gary Gensch
Tuesday, April 30th
12:00 Central / 1:00 Eastern

The issue of immigration is all over the news right now. Let’s take a step back from the politics to look at who is coming to our border. . .and why. We’ll share what our program participants in Central America have told us about the realities and challenges they face and then move the conversation to the all-important question, “Is there anything we can do to make a difference?”
Alex Morse, Growing Hope’s Associate Regional Director, led a learning trip to Honduras the last week of March. The team met with men and women who are taking part in Growing Hope-supported food security programs. Over and over again, the group heard how hunger and lack of economic opportunities affect the difficult decision to migrate or stay in their villages.
Alex Morse (at left, blue shirt) joined our Growing Hope staff seven years ago. He works with our U.S. Growing Projects and our partners in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Gary Gensch (at right, middle) has been involved with the Portage UCC–Climax MI Growing Project for five years. He leases his land to a farmer who invited him to be involved in Growing Hope Globally. He traveled to Honduras with Alex to learn how his Growing Project’s funds are being used. Gary saw how participants in our programs are able to grow enough food to feed their families, earn incomes and stay in their villages. He brings a unique perspective as a volunteer and is looking forward to sharing what he learned, as well as stories about the incredible people he met.
Invite others into this important conversation by hosting a Lunch-n-Learn in your office, church or home. Gather ’round a computer with others who care about the issues of hunger and immigration. Enjoy your meal while you look at uplifting photos and listen to what Alex and Gary experienced and the good news about alternatives to the crisis at the border.
For more information on how a Lunch-n-Learn works, contact Becky Morris at becky@growinghopeglobally.org or (224) 659-1749.
If you have other plans for lunch on the 30th, register now and you will receive a link to a recording afterwards so you may view it at your convenience.
After registering for the webinar, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to call in. If you have any questions, please contact Becky Morris at becky@growinghopeglobally.org or (224) 659-1749.
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ -Matthew 25:40

Visit us at Commodity Classic in Orlando!
2019-02-28 - 2019-03-02
Are you attending the 2019 Commodity Classic, February 28-March 2 in Orlando? If so, look us up at Booth #2867. We will also sponsoring a worship service hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Farmers, which will be held at 5:30PM on March 2nd. Hope to see you there!
For more, go to commodityclassic.com.

Growing Project Kickoff Webinar
2019-02-26 18:30 (America/Chicago)
Your Growing Project has been absolutely vital to Growing Hope’s success over the years. This webinar is designed specifically for you and your Growing Project volunteers!

Last year, many projects watched as a team and then met afterward to brainstorm ideas for the upcoming season. Invite everyone involved in your project to gather with you for this 45-minute webinar designed to Thank, Inspire and Bless You as the 2019 Growing Project season revs up! We are so excited to gather together with all of you.
Join us to:

Receive a pastoral blessing from Rev. Joan Fumetti over your planting season
Learn what our U.S. Growing Projects accomplished in 2018
Connect with the larger Growing Hope community
Hear exciting updates and ideas from other Growing Projects
Bring more life to your project with updated information and resources

2nd Annual Growing Project Kick-Off Webinar
Tuesday, Feb 26th
6:30pm CST / 7:30pm EST

After registering (below) for the webinar, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to call in. If you have any questions, please contact Becky Morris at becky@growinghopeglobally.org or (224) 659-1749. We hope you can join us!

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another.
Hebrews 10:24-25a

Register

Miles/Preston, IA: Harvest Celebration
2018-11-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Miles Presbyterian Church, Miles, Iowa
Join us at the Miles Presbyterian Church for fellowship and worship.
6:00 PM Potluck supper
7:00 PM Worship service

Somonauk, IL: Community Hunger Dinner
2018-11-17 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Somonauk Middle School Gym, 510 W Lasalle St, Somonauk, IL, 60552, United States
Somonauk High School Presents a Hunger Dinner Fundraising Event
Auction Items, Spaghetti, and a Life Altering Experience!

Greenville, MI: Harvest Celebration
2018-11-11 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | 8644 West Sidney Road, Greenville, MI 48838, 8644 West Sidney Road, Greenville, MI, 48838, United States
This event has been cancelled due to predictions of heavy snow.

Edgerton, OH: Harvest Celebration
2018-11-11 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | Edgerton United Methodist Church, 307 N. Michigan Ave., Edgerton, OH, 43517, United States
Join us for a soup and pie luncheon with a free-will donation in support of Growing Hope Globally!

Waukon, IA: Harvest Celebration
2018-11-08 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | UCC Meeting Hall, 113 1st Street NE, Waukon, IA, 52172, United States
A potluck dinner to celebrate the harvest!

Webinar: Building Hope In Unexpected Ways
2018-11-06
12:00 Central/1:00 Eastern
Register
What happens in a community when a program we support ends? Do our programs truly provide hope in a sustainable way that leads to long-lasting impact on the people who live there?
Host a Lunch-n-Learn with friends, neighbors and co-workers for this special webinar that answers these questions and more. We’ll hear from Bev Abma about what she found when she went back to visit several African communities where the programs we funded have come to an end. She’ll tell you what she discovered and what surprised her!
Follow this link to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar.
If you have questions, or would like to organize a group Lunch-n-Learn for this event, contact Becky Morris for tips, discussion questions and more!

Kalamazoo, MI: County Farm Bureau Harvest Celebration
2018-11-04 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Detroit) | 8230 R Ave E, 8230 R Ave E, Scotts, MI, 49088, United States
Cancelled due to rain! Thank you farmers for your support!

Yakima, WA: Apple Packing Day
2018-10-27 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Wiley Heights Covenant Church, 12504 Gilbert Rd., Yakima, WA, 98903, United States
Our Sharing the Harvest Growing Project brings more than 200 people together to pack and distribute bags of apples sold to benefit a program we support in Africa

Decatur, IN: Harvest Celebration
2018-10-21 10:30 - 13:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Salem Magley Church, 7494 N 600 W, Decatur, IN, 46733, United States
Join us for a harvest worship service and lunch to celebrate our progress toward a world without hunger!

Ashley, IN: Harvest Celebration
2018-10-20 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Pleasant Chapel, 1993 Co Rd 8, Ashley, IN, 46705, United States
Join us for this day of celebrating our partnership toward a world without hunger. The event will feature horse drawn wagon rides, a corn husking competition, trunk or treating, an antique farm equipment display and lunch.
