Texas Baptists supports feeding efforts amidst tragedies, raises Hunger Offering relief funds

DALLAS—Texas Baptists is donating $35,000 to ministry partner Texans on Mission, formerly Texas Baptists Men, to support feeding efforts related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Disaster-heavy year

Four days after Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, FL, on Sept. 26 as a category 4 storm, eight Texans on Missions disaster relief units departed for Eastern Tennessee and North Carolina to help with flooding, feeding, electricity supply, chainsawing and more. 

Volunteers have since logged more than 8,880 service hours in response to that storm. 

Less than two weeks later, on Oct. 9, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Keys, FL, as a category 3 storm. By Sunday, Oct. 13, Texans on Mission volunteers were cooking meals in Port Charlotte, feeding and ministering to storm-weary residents impacted by consecutive disaster events.

In addition to natural disasters impacting the U.S., TXM is also continuing its effort to feed the hungry and train volunteers in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war, which has now entered its second year following Hamas’ initial attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

TXM has provided more than 150,000 meals in Israel since the war began.

Partnering to provide ‘excellent work in Jesus’ name’

Julio Guarneri, Texas Baptists executive director, expressed appreciation for the long-running disaster relief partnership through Texans on Mission. 

“We are very thankful for our ministry partners, Texans on Mission,” said Julio Guarneri, Texas Baptists executive director. “They do excellent work in Jesus’ name.” 

Guarneri, in his weekly update to the Texas Baptists family, grieved for “those who have lost homes, possessions, livelihood, and most of all, loved ones” in the midst of numerous tragedies in recent days.

“As we continue to pray for them, we are also moved to compassion,” he said. Guarneri noted that a general “Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Relief” designation had been re-opened on the Hunger Offering online giving page.

“One hundred percent of your donation will go to feeding, in Jesus’ name, people affected by the hurricanes and the war-torn Middle East,” he said. 

According to Guarneri and Irene Gallegos, director of Hunger and Care Ministries for Texas Baptists, gifts given to the special humanitarian aid and crisis relief fund in the days ahead will be directed to Texans on Mission feeding units in the U.S. and other partners in the Middle East.

“When you give to the Hunger Offering specifically for humanitarian aid and crisis relief, we will send that support through Texans on Mission specifically for the disaster relief from Hurricane Helene and Milton, and then through Baptist World Aid and their response and in the partnerships that they have working in the Middle East,” said Gallegos. 

Gallegos said the general Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Relief fund allows donors to participate in showing Christ’s love to those in need, whatever the crisis. 

“We have the opportunity to respond to those needs … [and] be the church and share the love of Christ. Especially, with Texas Baptists, we talk about sharing Christ and showing love; what an opportunity for missions to show the mission of Christ, to share him, to show his love by meeting the needs of people when in times of crisis,” said Gallegos. 

Hunger Offering’s humanitarian aid and crisis relief fund

The Hunger Offering’s special Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Relief fund collected contributions to provide aid following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At the outset of that war, the Hunger Offering collaborated with worldwide ministry partners to support 2,100 Baptist churches in Ukraine. More than $130,000 was given to support relief efforts related to that crisis. 

Other instances in which donors have given through the fund include support related to the 2023 earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria and the response following Hamas’ 2023 attack on Israel.

Guarneri welcomed donations to the fund from churches and individuals and expressed his belief that the number of gifts given will grow. 

“I trust that our Baptist family will continue to respond generously,” he said.

Texas Baptists’ $35,000 gift to Texans on Missions comprises $20,000 from the Convention’s general funds, $10,000 from the Texas Baptists Hunger Offering and another $5,000 in the form of a grant from the Texas Baptists Missions Foundation to the Hunger Offering.

Long-known as the disaster relief ministry of Texas Baptists, Texans on Mission is again set to receive $275,000 in Cooperative Program funds according to the proposed 2025 Missions and Ministries budget, which will be voted upon by messengers to the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting Nov. 10-12 in Waco, TX.

Give to the Hunger Offering Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Relief fund by clicking here and selecting the appropriate fund in the dropdown menu. Click here to learn more about volunteering with Texans on Mission, and here to give directly to TXM. 

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Thursday, October 17 at 12:00 pm to clarify aspects of the giving opportunity and past instances in which the fund had been used to support various response efforts.