The Church of Jesus Christ Gives $32 Million to the World Food Programme

June 2023

In September 2022, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made its largest one-time contribution to a humanitarian organization. By donating US $32 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organization, the Church is helping to fight hunger around the world. In fact, the funds will help provide critical food and emergency support to 1.6 million people—including mothers and young children—in nine countries: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, northeast Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.

Funds will provide critical food and emergency support to 1.6 million people in nine nations.

Bishop L. Todd Budge of the Presiding Bishopric presented this donation to WFP USA President and CEO Barron Segar and WFP Deputy Executive Director of Partnerships and Advocacy Ute Klamert during a visit to WFP’s headquarters in Rome, Italy. During the visit, Bishop Budge said, “We are so grateful to collaborate with the World Food Programme because we know they will get food to those who need it most. And we thank Latter-day Saints and friends of the faith whose financial sacrifices have made this gift possible. Such giving makes God’s children a little happier and all of us a little holier.”

The World Food Programme works hard to fight hunger around the world, and for
many, WFP’s work alongside governments and partners is a critical lifeline. Today, a record
345 million people face acute food insecurity, with 50 million on the brink of famine. Without
immediate action, some 60 million children will be at risk of acute malnourishment by the end of 2022. “This extraordinary donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could not come at a more critical time,” said WFP Executive Director David Beasley. “With millions of people starving today, WFP is working hard to deliver food, help, and hope—and this life-saving contribution allows us to do just that.”

President Camille N. Johnson, global leader of the Church’s Relief Society, said, “My heart rejoices for the millions of malnourished children who will benefit from this donation.
Jesus has a tender heart for children. He weeps to see them starve. And He rejoices at even the smallest effort to help them. A huge thanks to the World Food Programme and to all who contribute in any way to this cause.”1 

1. Quotes taken from “The Church of Jesus Christ Gives US$32 Million to the World Food Programme,” Church Newsroom, Sept.14, 2022, newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org