VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 11/20/19)—Nine Matthew 25 Grants ranging from $1,300 to $3,500 were awarded in October to applicants who offer a variety of services to people in need across the United States.

The Matthew 25 Grant, sponsored by the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) Office of the General Secretary and the Board of General Ministries, is funded by a generous anonymous donor whose goal is to help meet the needs of “housing, feeding, education and health with regard to the less fortunate.” The Matthew 25 Grant initiative began in 2013.

Detailed stories about some of the outcomes of previous Matthew 25 Grant awards can be found here.

In the most recent Grant cycle, awards were given to address the following needs:

• Provide weekend meals for children receiving free or reduced cost meals at their schools;
• Purchase backpacks full of school supplies for children of low income families;
• Supply food for weekly meals for homeless and disadvantaged people;
• Provide supplies and snacks at an after school program for children in a high poverty district;
• Purchase diapers and hygiene items for families in need;
• Purchase food for holiday meal programs for a community;
• Provide educational materials to support an after school program that offers tutoring; and
• Provide new clothing to children and youth in an area of need.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.