CONVOY OF HOPE TO RELEASE SPECIAL REPORT ON U.S. HUNGER
In the next issue of Hope Quarterly, Convoy of Hope is publishing a special report on the growing challenge of hunger in the United States. The report invites readers to make a difference in their communities in response.
According to one study, of the 131.5 million U.S. households, 17.9% are food insecure. Over 42 million people (12.7% of the population) receive government food assistance. In the past 15 years, a new measure of the “working poor” (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — ALICE) has emerged that projects a household survival budget. It is estimated that 42% of the U.S. population falls below the ALICE threshold.
Those levels of need translate into thousands of homes where families struggle to put food on the table and children do not receive the nutrition they need for healthy growth and development.
“We are working to step up our efforts to fight hunger and poverty to reverse this trend in the U.S.,” said Convoy of Hope President Hal Donaldson. “We see the need every day. We hear the need. And we believe we can make a difference.”
SURVIVORS OF SUDAN
CONFLICT IN DESPERATE
NEED
Since April 2023, civil war has wreaked havoc on the people of Sudan. Since the conflict began, 14.6 million people have been displaced, often with just the clothes on their backs.
More than 30.4 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian support. Many families don’t have access to food or clean water, leading to extreme levels of malnutrition and waterborne illness.
Convoy of Hope has distributed more than 4 million meals to refugees in the region. In addition, Convoy is currently working on repairing wells, sourcing emergency-based feeding programs, and providing mosquito nets to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SERVES DISPLACED WOMEN IN GREECE
For refugees arriving from the Middle East and Africa, Greece is the gateway into Europe. But when they reach Athens, they don’t know the language, they stand out from local residents, and they grapple with fear and trauma. How can they start over?
In 2023 and 2024, more than 8,000 women landed in Greece. By the end of 2024, 2,556 women had graduated from Convoy’s Women’s Empowerment program with the help of Convoy’s partner Humanitarian Initiative Bridges.
Assistance includes one-on-one empowerment sessions, help with government documents, and health education. Licensed social workers at the center help women and families adjust.
This Convoy of Hope Women’s Empowerment partnership is bringing change and hope to the lives of the women they encounter. And it doesn’t stop in Greece. All over the world, women see and understand their value and grow in their capacity and resiliency.
By Annie Denney & Levi Costello
PeopleFirst
SUCCESS IS MEASURED IN CHANGED LIVES
Aster (left) serves a customer in her shop.
“I feel desperate at times,” Jose said. “There are days when I wonder how I will be able to bring food home without a steady job.”
As a struggling farmer in Honduras, Jose had relied on a second job in a textile mill to get by. When that plant shut down, the financial shortfall was dire.
Jose received training through Convoy’s Agriculture initiative that enabled him to explore new areas of farming — such as raising pigs and growing cucumbers.
“Since I have started applying the skills I learned with Convoy of Hope,” Jose said, “my life has changed for the better.” He is now a mentor to other farmers in his community.
continued on p. 12
BRINGING COMFORT IN CONFLICT
The war in Ukraine is stretching into its fourth year, millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, and high threat levels continue to impact many communities. Convoy has distributed more than 63.5 million meals; partnered with 812 local churches, organizations, and operational partners; and helped refugees in 17 nations.
Learn more about Convoy’s Ukraine response here.
Learn more about Agriculture projects here.
Fires, hurricanes & more
When disaster strikes, the sudden loss of a home or property can be devastating. Aurelli, her husband, and her son live in Riverside, California, an hour outside Pasadena. They lost everything in the California fires early this year. Aurelli’s husband was in Pasadena for work when the flames swept through. “He couldn’t believe it was all gone,” Aurelli said.
Convoy of Hope was on the scene, bringing 2.9 million pounds of resources to 12 impacted communities in partnership with churches and local organizations.
“It showed our community that we are a resource for them, and if things happen and they need something, they can come to Believe LA,” said Pastor Aaron Lindsey of his church.
Some responses continue for months. Convoy is still serving communities hit by Hurricane Helene last September. A steady stream of semitrucks have brought 5.2 million pounds of resources to 85 communities in six states. Some communities are small mountain towns that can sometimes be forgotten.
Whether it is a hurricane, tornado, or wildfire in the U.S. or an earthquake or flood overseas, Convoy of Hope stays alert, ready to serve.
Since 1994, Convoy of Hope’s cumulative response globally has reached $3.1 billion in distributed resources and more than 300 million people served.
“When you invest into Convoy of Hope, your giving is leveraged to multiply your impact,” said Rick Waggoner, senior vice president and chief development officer for Convoy.
Currently, that leverage embraces about half a billion dollars a year in essential products donated by compassionate corporate partners.
It’s an ever-growing mountain of generosity with one goal — to transform the lives of men, women, and children around the world.
CONVOY OF HOPE TAKES ON THE WORLD’S THIRST
Just Add Water
By Annie Denney & Naomi Falk
Water is essential to life, yet 2.2 billion people — including more than 450 million children — live in areas where there is not enough clean water to meet their needs. Often, local water sources are contaminated and unhealthy. Without access to clean and safe water, communities face increased disease, higher death rates, and struggling economies.
Convoy of Hope is committed to changing that reality.
continued on p. 19
Part of Convoy’s mission is to ensure that every community and program center served has access to clean and safe water through tailored solutions that meet a community’s specific needs. Convoy provides both short- and long-term solutions so communities can maintain access for generations.
SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS
• Water filters to provide immediate access to clean drinking water
• Repairs to existing water systems to restore functionality
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS
• Wells and water-storage systems that ensure a steady supply of clean water
• Latrines, kitchens, and agriculture irrigation systems that improve sanitation and food production
• WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) training to educate communities on hygiene, water conservation, and maintenance of water systems
Sustainability is at the heart of Convoy’s water initiatives. Community members receive training on how to save for and maintain these solutions, empowering them to take ownership of their water resources.
Through Convoy, more than 90,000 people gained access to clean drinking water in 2024. In addition, disaster survivors received bottled water, with water filters for some communities, when a weather crisis contaminated local supplies. Tens of thousands more will have daily access to clean water as Convoy completes more water projects in 2025 and 2026.
Just add clean water. That’s a powerful ingredient in the recipe for community transformation.
43 CLEAN WATER PROJECTS
projects in West Africa
projects in Tanzania
projects in Madagascar 5 projects in Zambia 2 projects in Sri Lanka
3 projects in Nicaragua
2024 U.S. Engagement
Engagement
Truckloads
Disaster Responses
Community
Events
Field Teams
DISASTER SERVICES
Ukrainian war refugees, East African communities on the edge of famine, and U.S. hurricane survivors all have received critical help through Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team. Consistently among the first to respond to crises, Convoy’s highly trained staff and volunteers help hurting people get back on their feet. Convoy is committed to helping as much as possible for as long as possible in the most challenging environments.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
When a woman generates an income, it not only benefits her — the entire community profits. Through training and loving support, Convoy equips women to start and successfully operate their own businesses. Convoy encourages women and girls around the world to realize their value and reach their potential. This gives them the opportunity to positively impact the lives of their families and their communities.
Convoy of Hope’s Agriculture program is equipping vulnerable farmers and families with skills, tools, and seeds to increase lifesustaining crops. Of the meals harvested each year, a portion is used to support Convoy’s Children’s Feeding program. Convoy’s agriculture specialists teach long-term sustainable practices that help break the cycle of poverty and promote communitywide food security.
CHILDREN’S FEEDING
Approximately half of all deaths of children under age 5 can be linked to undernutrition. A nutritious meal coupled with clean drinking water opens doors to better health and consistent physical and mental development. Convoy of Hope provides regular, nutritious meals in schools around the world. Now, more than 639,000 children are discovering renewed hope.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Poverty and hunger have gained a devastating edge in urban neighborhoods and rural communities alike. Through Community Engagement, Convoy resources, empowers, and partners with local leaders and churches through training, mentoring, and coaching. Convoy believes that increased presence and partnership will help strengthen and enrich entire cities, towns, and neighborhoods.
Today’s generation wants to change our world. Convoy of Hope Education invests in students through partnerships with colleges and universities, internships, and compassion experiences.
Every Student Engaged in Compassion
