Hunger News: Pasta with a Purpose!

The Summer campaign helped neighbors facing high grocery bills and persistent food insecurity. Churches across the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America donated 16,170 pounds of food to local pantries through Pasta with a Purpose, a summer campaign to help neighbors facing hunger. That amount is equivalent to approximately 13,475 meals. The donations come as many families continue to struggle with grocery bills. Hunger remains a persistent problem in Virginia: Feeding America estimates that 12.1% of Virginians—about one in eight—experienced food insecurity in 2023, meaning they did not always have reliable access to enough food. Through Pasta with a Purpose, congregations collected pasta and related foods during June, July, and August, when children have lost access to school meals and pantry donations often slow. Each congregation delivered its collection to a pantry in its own community. “Our congregations helped stock pantry shelves this summer, and that food matters to families right now,” said the Rev. Dr. Phyllis Blair Milton, Bishop of the VA Synod. “Our faith also calls us to listen to our neighbors, better understand why so many struggle to afford food, and work for changes that will allow every family to thrive.” The Virginia Synod offers congregations resources for hunger education, prayer, advocacy, community engagement, and giving. Learn more at vasynod.org/resources/world-hunger.