The Canadian Foodgrains Bank welcomed Catholic and Anglican agencies into its membership, making it one of the most ecumenical organizations in Canada working to end world hunger. It now represents almost all Christian denominations in the country, including 15 evangelical, mainline protestant, and catholic churches, with more than 17,000 congregations and parishes connected to the effort.
The decision was made at a biannual board meeting in Winnipeg in June, where members voted unanimously to accept the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, and the Primate's World Relief & Development Fund of the Anglican Church of Canada.
“We're very excited about this,” said the Presbyterian Church's Rick Fee, chair of the board of directors. “As Canadians we should be very proud of this joint Christian witness in the world. We should never underestimate or down-play the vital role that the Foodgrains Bank is being called to fulfill in today's hungry world.”
Last year, with a budget of $24.8 million, 56 CFGB projects in 17 countries benefited 1.3 million people.
“The Foodgrains Bank is Canada's primary non-governmental organization involved in food programming overseas,” said executive director Jim Cornelius. “With two new members at the table with us, even more work can be done.”
