National Council of Churches Poverty Initiative's "Models of Anti-Poverty Ministry"
Tronn Miller, using a framework of Jean Vangronigen in his book "Communities First," identifies 6 models, or approaches to addressing the poverty issues in a community.
1. Giving a Fish.
Offering direct aid or relief to people in poverty; i.e., food pantries, homeless shelters, Thanksgiving baskets.
2. Teaching to Fish
Case management, mentorship, and skill development for persons in poverty.
3. Enhancing the Condition of the Pond Environment
Creating safer and more welcoming places for all persons to grow and thrive
4. Expanding Access to the Pond
Breaking through the personal, community, and systemic isolation of people living in poverty by building relationships and gathering people.
5. Creating Broader Ownership of the Pond
Building assets with people living in poverty; i.e., creating individual development accounts, credit unions, micro-enterprise, land ownership, and helping with continuing education.
6. Maintaining the Watershed
Organizing and advocating to create policies and laws that are just; i.e., overcoming zoning barriers to developing a neighborhood in a way that would beenfit the community.
"In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us the importance of feeding the hungry. We have several traditional ways for fulfilling this ordinance of Christ. We feed the hungry by serving in soup kitchens to feed large numbers of people, and by taking casseroles to particular families during times of crisis. We feed the hungry by gleaning the fields to recover nutritious food left behind, and by raising funds to purchase surplus foodstuffs from manufacturers to stock food pantries. We feed the hungry by organizing food cooperatives and community gardens, and by teaching communities better ways to grow crops and animals. We feed the hungry by helping persons have access to adequate employment opportunities so they can purchase their own food, and by working with governments to provide safety nets for the working poor and the unemployed. The tradition is that the Church feeds the hungry. The tradition is fulfilled in many different ways."
from "Deep and Wide: The Perfecting Love of Jesus Christ" Dr. Nickolas Campbell
1. Giving a Fish.
Offering direct aid or relief to people in poverty; i.e., food pantries, homeless shelters, Thanksgiving baskets.
2. Teaching to Fish
Case management, mentorship, and skill development for persons in poverty.
3. Enhancing the Condition of the Pond Environment
Creating safer and more welcoming places for all persons to grow and thrive
4. Expanding Access to the Pond
Breaking through the personal, community, and systemic isolation of people living in poverty by building relationships and gathering people.
5. Creating Broader Ownership of the Pond
Building assets with people living in poverty; i.e., creating individual development accounts, credit unions, micro-enterprise, land ownership, and helping with continuing education.
6. Maintaining the Watershed
Organizing and advocating to create policies and laws that are just; i.e., overcoming zoning barriers to developing a neighborhood in a way that would beenfit the community.
"In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us the importance of feeding the hungry. We have several traditional ways for fulfilling this ordinance of Christ. We feed the hungry by serving in soup kitchens to feed large numbers of people, and by taking casseroles to particular families during times of crisis. We feed the hungry by gleaning the fields to recover nutritious food left behind, and by raising funds to purchase surplus foodstuffs from manufacturers to stock food pantries. We feed the hungry by organizing food cooperatives and community gardens, and by teaching communities better ways to grow crops and animals. We feed the hungry by helping persons have access to adequate employment opportunities so they can purchase their own food, and by working with governments to provide safety nets for the working poor and the unemployed. The tradition is that the Church feeds the hungry. The tradition is fulfilled in many different ways."
from "Deep and Wide: The Perfecting Love of Jesus Christ" Dr. Nickolas Campbell