Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Thanksgiving Ingathering meets $1 million goal

The 2015 Thanksgiving Ingathering brought together more than $1 million in cash/checks, in-kind contributions, and special activities.  The report, presented Friday, December 4, at the Ingathering committee meeting, detailed the number of kits, sweaters and cartons of books destined for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the Iowa Nigeria Partnership (INP).  In addition, the financial support raised for related missions was tallied.   

The 36th annual Thanksgiving Ingathering was held on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at five sites across Iowa – Cherokee, Cedar Falls, Greenfield, Mt. Pleasant, and Webster City.  “The Thanksgiving Ingathering is a way for Iowa United Methodists to address hunger problems locally and around the world.,” according to the Ingathering booklet.  “Micah 6:8 says that the lord requires us ‘to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ When we share from our abundance we are acting justly and reflecting our desire to serve God.”  

 The first Thanksgiving Ingathering was held on November 1, 1980 on the campus of Westmar College in LeMars.  People brought blankets, kits, corn, and even animals.  The event grew from a casual conversation between Art Richardson and Bill “concerning the hunger and poverty around the world when so many were living in luxury,” according to the history.  In 1982 “plans were made to supply animals and grain for Heifer Project so an area was designed for the "5 Baas", "3 Bunters", "10 Hopping Multipliers", and a few Grunters". A semi load of corn that had been donated by area farmers was delivered to Arkansas as well.”  Between 1983 and 1992 four more sites were added, bringing the total to five.  Over the years crafts were added as were quilts to be auctioned – one brought $3100, in 1999, at Greenfield! - 

See more at: http://www.iaumc.org/newsdetail/thanksgiving-ingathering-tops-1m-goal-3143194#sthash.SSQdnsHX.dpuf