Let Us Rejoice Together

LET US REJOICE TOGETHER

   Dear friends:

          I have recieved good news from the Earlville Growing Project and have included the letter for your enjoyment. 

         Those of you familiar with the Somonauk and Earlville growing projects at the harvest celebration know the committment and dedication that the two groups have to help others.  By helping each other and working together the two groups have been able to reach out to the local community with the harvest celebration and planning also.  Let us rejoice together on what the Earlville group has achieved.  We have been witness to the generosity shown by them as they have been the host farm for the last three years, they have been leaders in spreading the word on the mission of FRB, they have shown how the different churches in Earlville can work together, and have taken that energy to raise funds for two separate overseas projects.  The picture shows there support of Sesame production and   http://www.foodresourcebank.org/Programs_and_Projects/1/a0bA0000000TwRdIAK  shows more information on that project.  For information on the Armenia project that they support visit http://www.foodresourcebank.org/Programs_and_Projects/1/a0bA0000000TwQfIAK  .  I thank Kurt Larson for the Earlville letter covering the Earlville projects. and St. Johns at Somonauk for the info on there web site covering the Somonauk Project.  Again Lets Rejoice Together for all that FRB is doing.

    

A Growing Project by Foods Resource Bank

www.foodsresourcebank.org

Earlville Area Project

2010 GROWING PROJECT

           

            Foods Resource Bank is a Christian organization with virtually every denomination in our country being a member.  Through Growing Projects such as our Earlville Area Growing Project, FRB raises funds to be used throughout the world in various projects that are designed and run by Christian organizations such as Lutheran World Relief, Catholic Relief Services, United Methodist Committee on Relief, and Presbyterian Church (USA).  These organizations submit funding requests to FRB for projects that must meet the criteria of “A hand up, not a hand out.”  Important requirements include goals, a beginning and end date, and the inclusion of women in the decision making process.  Projects granted funds must submit progress reports to maintain funding.

            Our Earlville Area Growing Project for the Foods Resource Bank this year raised $8,931 through the generous support of growers and sponsors.  We have sent the funds to FRB in support of two projects.  Our first project supported is Mali-Tominian (Project 9001). Mali is a country in western Africa and this program over a three year period with work with 160 groups to promote sesame production, post-harvest management and marketing, soil conservation and restoration, crop diversification, and income generation.  The second project is Armenia-FHSLD (Project 6004).  This project will help provide agricultural inputs to 855 beneficiaries to increase their self-sustainability in food production, to increase their knowledge through technical trainings, to help their ability to design menus that improve their daily diet, and to empower young people at institutions and schools with life skills and agricultural education.

            Our joint Harvest Celebration with the Somonauk Growing Project was held on October 16 at the farm of Gary & Jean Dau near Sheridan.  What a contrast to last year!  We had a warm and sunny day with over 450 in attendance.  Last year the corn was too wet to harvest while this year the FRB corn was very dry and about the last corn to be harvested!  Our pie raffle again raised $5,000.  A beef raffle raised $2,700.  Through these and other donations, we raised over $14,000 that day!  Virtually everything is donated for this day.  The beef for the raffle, the two hogs for the roast, the buns, chips, drinks, pies, and cookies are all donated.  Combine rides, tractor rides, fuel for the machines, toys for the raffle, the horse drawn wagon ride, tractor pulled wagon rides, the “corn box,” the kiddie peddle tractor pull, and everyone’s time are all donated.  This year we had guests from Africa with us for most of the day and Orion Samuelson spoke after the worship service.  A cameraman was with Orion and he and his son stayed most of the day.  Highlights of the day and interviews by Orion were featured on RFD TV at Thanksgiving time.

            Thank you so much to everyone that donated and participated.  FRB projects truly are a “Christian Response to World Hunger” that help people learn to support themselves.  Since becoming involved in FRB, I have met people from all over the world that need little more than education.  It still amazes me that there are people throughout the world farming with so little knowledge of basic things as soil conservation and animal husbandry.  I also think this is a good lessen for us as to the value of education and the advancement of science in our country.  Again, thank you.

Submitted,

Kurt Larson