“A Christian response to world hunger.” Foods Resource Bank (FRB) is a non-governmental humanitarian organization committed to providing food security in the developing world through sustainable small-scale agricultural production. FRB organizes U.S. Growing Projects that bring together farmers, churches, and agri-business in growing and harvesting a crop. Proceeds are given to FRB to support their goal of bringing dignity to the poor and supporting their efforts to sustain the health and well-being of their families. A group from Orchard Hill participates in one of these U.S. Growing Projects each year. For example, in the spring of 2006 individuals at Orchard Hill were given the opportunity to purchase a row of crops for $20 each and raised $5000 which provided enough money for the eight participating farmers to plant the year’s entire crop at no cost. This means that the entire harvest will be sold at pure profit, sending 100% of the money raised by the harvest directly to FRB.

Current Foods Resource Bank needs include: Prayers for the organization, financial support each spring, and encouragement for participating farmers during fall harvest!

To learn more, contact Darwin Cannegieter or visit their website.

Haiti (website)

Orchard Hill Church travels to Pignon, Haiti regularly where teams work closely with the Hospital de Bienfaisance, established and run by Dr. Guy Theodore. The hospital provides general and surgical healthcare for the poor and includes a dental clinic, maternity ward, mother/baby clinic, optometry, and pharmacy. Teams from Orchard Hill visit patients and soothe through prayers and singing. They assemble and distribute baby bundles to new mothers and make quilts for hospital use. Orchard Hill teams also help with work projects that include activities like painting, building, and cleaning. Teams also distribute supplies at Rocky Mountain School where many students sponsored by the Orchard Hill community attend school. The feeding program is a highlight of each trip. Each year, the people of Orchard Hill Church donate money to purchase rice, beans, lye soap, cooking oil, and bouillon for many families in need of nourishment. Each trip, teams enjoy interacting with people around town, watching women craft, visiting the market, playing marbles and jump rope and laughing with the kids in the town and orphanages.

Current Pignon, Haiti needs include: (1) Servants to travel to Haiti! (2) Sponsors to send children to school through H.E.L.P. 4) Baby Bundles. Mom’s Morning Out will collect newborn baby items to send for new moms in Haiti. One baby bundle – packed in a one-gallon, zipper-sealed bag – includes: cloth diaper (not prefolded) and pins, rubber pants, booties & hat, onesie, small travel-size lotion, shampoo, and bar soap – all packaging removed. Start gathering items and watch for more about collection information. Also needed: Donations to help cover shipping costs to Haiti.

To learn more, contact Marla Kraayenbrink.

Haitian Education & Literacy Program (H.E.L.P.) (website)

Education is one of the keys to breaking the chain of poverty, yet many families cannot afford to send their children to school. Orchard Hill Church partners with H.E.L.P. to provide an opportunity to sponsor a Haitian child’s education through a donation that also provides some food, a school uniform, and school supplies for each sponsored child. H.E.L.P.’s goal is to send one child from every family in the region of Pignon to school! Teams from Orchard Hill travel to Haiti regularly, carrying with them small care packages Orchard Hill sponsors have prepared for their students. Several sponsors have traveled with a team and have actually met the children they sponsor.

Current H.E.L.P. needs include: Sponsors! Send one student to primary school for $100/year or one student to secondary school for $290/year. Sponsors receive yearly updates and report cards and are encouraged to continue supporting their student each year as they complete each grade level. One-time donations are also welcomed to help children continue to attend school if their sponsor is unable to continue their support.

Download child sponsorship information or contact Marla Kraayenbrink.

Mozambique, Africa

Orchard Hill Church joins with Food for the Hungry, working to end physical and spiritual hungers in a village in the Sofala region of Mozambique, Africa. “Our focus in this project is to equip and strengthen the Church to be Christ’s primary instrument of change within its community. Long term (5-7 years)... we desire to be able to leave as an organization and continue to see the church meeting the needs of its community in a wholistic manner” (Stefan Kern, former FH missionary in Mozambique). The vision: Work in the community 5-7 years. Enable the community to become completely self-sufficient economically, socially, and spiritually. Provide infrastructure to the community and individuals through child sponsorship. The Orchard Hill commitment: Sponsor 200 children (Pray for your child, send your financial gifts consistently, and write letters). Send teams regularly to minister directly with community members.

Current Mozambique needs include: Child sponsors. At $32 per month ($384 per year) you provide: nutritious food, clean water, medical & dental check-ups, education supplies & uniforms, biblical teaching, church development, gospel sharing.

For more information about Orchard Hill’s involvement in Mozambique, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Download child sponsorship information or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  to learn more about sponsoring a child in Mozambique.