Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

t the following cable to Scottdale: “Appalling need for clothing, bedding, hospital supplies, fats, milk. Recommend unit for Russia and cooperation in Central Europe.” Soon after the return of Roy Allgyer to the home land, a meeting was called to receive his report. It was decided to send funds to Germany and Austria, and to send a unit to Russia. Further progress was made in this direction with the return of the brethren O. O. Miller and Chris Graber from the Near East, who had come in contact with the “Studien ommend in Switzerland. After receiving additional information from the “Studien Kommission” upon their arrival in America, conferences were held and a course of procedure was agreed upon. It was decided that Constantinople, Turkey, should be the base of operation, and that the work was to be carried into Russia through some suitable Black Sea ort, as soon as the way opened. Orie O. Miller, Akron, ORGANIZED AMERICAN MENNONITE RELIEF 45 Pa., was appointed to be the head of the first unit. Arthur Slagel, Flanagan, IIl., and Clayton Kratz, Perkasie, Pa., were selected to accompany him. Arrangements were made with the Near East Relief, New York City, for the transportation of the men and supplies and for the transmitting of funds through their offices at New York and Constantinople. $20,000.00 were appropriated for the immediate use of the unit, a part of which was to be used in buying supplies in this country and the balance to be transmitted in funds for the purchase of additional supplies at Constantinople or wherever such purchases could be made to the best advantage. In July, 1919, reports were received of famine con- ditions in the Central Provinces of India. It was said that the seriousness of the situation there had never been paralleled in the history of the world. The report stated that thirty-two million persons had already died from starvation and that one hundred and fifty million more were on the verge of extinction. An appeal was made for funds and the distribution was undertaken by the American Mennonite Mission located at Dhamtari, C. P., India. Approximately $60,000.00 were contributed for the work. The famine conditions were broken by the close of the year. One of the results of the famine were the many homeless orphans. Additional appeals were made for these and during the years following nearly $65,000.00 have been contributed for their support, care and training. This help has been administered also by the workers of the American Mennonite Mission. This work will need additional support. After the close of the World War it was soon learned that there was great suffering in Germany among the women and children. Through the efforts of indi- viduals in this country certain relief was sent. Early in the year 1919, pleas were sent out for additional help 46 FEEDING THE HUNGRY and several months later active interest was taken in the work by our congregat