Statement from the Council of Bishops
November 3, 2025
A CALL TO COMPASSION
November Nationwide Food Drive
To Our Beloved Congregations,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Liberator, Jesus Christ.
As of November 1, 2025, federal SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) will only be partially funded, leaving countless families across our communities vulnerable to food insecurity. In response, the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is calling upon every local congregation to mobilize in love and action.
We ask that each church organize a November Food Drive, collecting canned goods and shelf-stable food items to support those most affected by this policy change. Let our sanctuaries become storehouses of hope—where no child, elder, or neighbor goes hungry.
We encourage congregations to:
Partner with local food banks, shelters, and outreach ministries
Create drop-off stations for members and community neighbors
Engage youth and lay organizations in sorting and distribution
Share testimonies and photos of your efforts to inspire others
This is not only a moment of crisis—it is a moment of calling. The AME Church has always stood at the intersection of faith and justice. Let us now stand together in generosity and grace.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink…” — Matthew 25:35
Thank you for your faithful witness and unwavering commitment to the least of these.
In Christ’s Service,
The Council of Bishops
African Methodist Episcopal Church