Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

994.96 Expenditures: Paid to Russian “Studien Kommission” 1446.98 Sent to India for relief of famine 125.00 Sent to Russia 1418.98 To Hoeppner for Central Europe 11286.00 To Germany to responsible persons 3505.74 38 FEEDING THE HUNGRY Clothing for Austria thru Rev. Ebel 3764.00 To Levi Mumaw for Siberia 1996.00 American Relief Administration 60.00 Loss on Foreign Exchange 55.24 Postage, Telegrams, printing, traveling, including all overhead 337.02 Total disbursements $23994.96 Tue EMERGENCY RELIEF COMMISSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE MENNONITE CHURCH or Nortru AMERICA By Ca Ee. Krehbiel The first organized effort to aid the needy was made, on the part of General Conference Churches, in 1873 by congregations of the then Western District (Now Middle District) in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Missouri. Together with a number of independent churches they organized the Mennonitie Board of Guardians for the purpose of aiding poor Mennonites in Russia who desired to immi- grate to America. A temporary organization was formed as follows: Chr. Krehbiel, Chairman; D. Goerz, secretary; John F. Funk, treasurer; B. Warkentin, agent. This organization received over $100,000 in gifts and loans in the years 1873-80 and could thus assist many from Russia to find a new home in America. The fact that every cent of the money loaned to the needy at that time was paid back, has been an earnest to the business world of Men- nonite integrity ever since. But, lest we forget, be it said, that reputation to stand must ripen into character in every succeeding generation. The Emergency Relief Commission was made a standing body of the Conference in 1899. The immediate incentive to this action was a famine in India. Coupled with the desire to feed the hungry bodies was a longing ORGANIZED AMERICAN MENNONITE RELIEF 39 to feed souls, to do mission work there. About $7000 in cash and 8000 bushels of corn were distributed in India in 1900. The Commission consists of six members who are elected for a term of nine years, two being elected every third year. The members for 1926-29 are, John Lichti, Medford, Okla., chairman; J. C. Mueller, Freeman, S. Dak., secretary; C. F. Classen, Newton, Kans., treasurer; and Maxwell H. Kratz, Philadelphia, Pa., C. C. Wedel, Goessel, Kans., and J. P. Habegger, Berne, Ind., members. Since its organization, $534,740 in outright free-will gifts for various purposes in various nations, have passed through the nands of the treasurer. Over one-half of the above amount was donated in the years 1920-23 for famine relief, chiefly in Russia. But besides the money given through this organization, many thousands of dol- lars were given through other organizations by conference constituents. Furthermore, carloads of clothing were sent: to Russia. In recent years the organization has assisted needy immigrants from Russia in Canada and Mexico. A call has just been issued to