What is Cents-ability?
A strategy for raising awareness — and funds — for the fight against hunger
Cents-Ability is a small first step in the battle against hunger and poverty. Congregations invite every member — of all ages — to contribute a few cents at every meal. This simple act is an expression of thanks for what we have received. It is also a commitment to share with others in response to Jesus' command "You give them something to eat." When members bring their offerings to church on the appointed Sunday, all of those coins "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" as they are received and dedicated.
These small acts of faithfulness can add up: One hundred persons in a congregation will contribute $180 a month at two cents a meal. That's $2,160 dollars a year. A 30,000-member presbytery has the potential of raising over $1.6 million annually at a nickle a meal.
Cents-Ability originated in 1976 as "Two-Cents-A-Meal," a project begun by Presbyterian Women to involve individuals and families in a corporate response to world hunger. Over the years, presbyteries have developed similar programs entitled Pennies for Hunger, Nickle-A-Meal, etc. Many of these programs benefit local hunger ministries as well as the national and international projects of the Presbyterian Hunger Program. (PHP).
PHP has developed a series of Cents-Ability resources to help presbyteries and congregations begin and expand hunger education and fund-raising programs. These include posters, banks, placemats, prayer table tents and a notebook full of suggestions and program models. Order resources online (below), or contact the Presbyterian Distribution Center by phone at (800) 524-2612.
2010 Cents-Ability project descriptions
Read about where CentsAbility funds raised for the Presbyterian Hunger Program were used in 2010. The resource contains short descriptions of each project and organization as well as amount funded.
Download the Cents-Ability packet
Use these Cents-Ability materials to help presbyteries and congregations begin and expand hunger education and fund-raising programs.
- Brochure
Includes a brief history and explanation of Cents-Ability. Fits in #10 envelope. Order from the Church Store. - Customizable Bulletin Insert
Reproducible sheet with space for congregation or presbytery information. - Can Wrapper
Reproducible design to cover various size cans for use in Cents-Ability offerings. - Logos
Reproducible sheet of various logos used in conjunction with or instead of Cents-Ability to help customize your hunger materials. Order from the Church Store. - Notebook
Information on how to initiate and implement a Cents-Ability program.
Other materials
Offering Cups
Plastic cups with slotted lids, similar to those distributed at General Assembly and the Presbyterian Women's Gathering. Great for using on tables at church dinners; can be re-used many times. $5.00 for pack of 20, order from the Church Store, PDS#7436004320
Poster
To help promote Cents-Ability and/or specific church or presbytery events. Blank space for your program name or message. Free, order from the Church Store, PDS#7436001326
Table Tents
Hunger-related prayers on table tents to use at church or presbytery meals. 10 for $5.00, order from the Church Store, PDS#74-36001325
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Comments
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Barbara, the things you mentioned are all part of the pdf that is listed below under the Cents-Ability download. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me directly and I'd love to help you out or walk you through finding exactly what you need. -Jessica
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It would be very helpful to have some of the resources downloadable as word documents, especially logos, the can wrapper.