The HRA Partnership

The Hunger Relief Advocate Initiative is a partnership program of  United Methodist Men and the Society of St. Andrew.

The Society of St. Andrew

The Society of St. Andrew, an ecumenical Christian hunger relief ministry with strong ties to the United Methodist Church, administers the HRA initiative. The national HRA and Conference HRAs are Society of St. Andrew employees.With a history of 25 years of hunger relief ministry, the Society of St. Andrew is uniquely suited to administer the HRA Initiative. The Society of St. Andrew reports routinely to the GCUMM and to the National Association of Conference Presidents, United Methodist Men, on the progress of the HRA initiative, including the accountability of funds.

The Society of St. Andrew is an Advance Special mission project of the United Methodist Church. Formed in 1979 by two United Methodist pastors, it is a Christian ministry dedicated to meeting both spiritual and physical hungers. The Society adheres to Christian principles of good stewardship. Therefore, more than 95% of all funds raised by the Society of St. Andrew are spent on the direct delivery of food and services to the hungry.

Society of St. Andrew Ministries:

• THE POTATO PROJECT: This nationwide produce salvage program was begun in 1983. It provides direct relief to the hungry by transporting commercially unmarketable, yet perfectly good potatoes and other produce that are donated by farmers to hunger relief agencies all across the United States. These agencies in turn distribute the food for free directly to the hungry. The Society of St. Andrew provides about 60 million servings of food to the hungry each year through the Potato Project at a cost of about a penny per serving.
   

• THE GLEANING NETWORK: Gleaning is the Biblical practice of hand-gathering crops left in the fields after harvest. The Society of St. Andrew coordinates volunteers, growers, and distribution agencies to provide food for hungry people through gleaning. The salvaged produce is taken to local food distribution centers. Each year more than 20,000 volunteers participate in gleaning events sponsored by the Society of St. Andrew to salvage about 45 million servings of food per year.
   

• HARVEST OF HOPE: This is a gleaning and study program with deep Biblical roots. It is designed for youth, young adults, and inter-generational groups in either weekend or week long events. Harvest of Hope emphasizes food salvage and gleaning. It educates participants about the realities of world hunger, its causes and effects, and involves them in worship and teamwork to serve the poor.

Visit the Society of St. Andrew web site.  Follow this link.

United Methodist Men

The General Commission on UMMen (GCUMM) endorses the HRA initiative as a project of United Methodist Men. United Methodist Men provide the funds necessary for the initiative through their Meals for Millions contributions.  The National Association of Conference Presidents of United Methodist Men recognize the Society of St. Andrew as an affiliated ministry and heartily endorses the Meals for Millions mission project.

It is important to understand that United Methodist Men are sponsoring the Hunger Relief Advocate Initiative. That means that United Methodist Men are supporting this Initiative through their prayers, financial contributions, and involvement in the hands-on opportunities provided by HRAs.

Visit the General Commission on United Methodist Men web site.  Follow this link.