Share Our Substance is a Direct Line
Diocesan Press Service. September 7, 1964 [XXIV-3]
Share Our Substance is a direct line from your church to those in need overseas.
SOS in action: INDONESIA. Volcanic eruption, destroying much of the island's farming, is now a memory, but 9, 000 people--out of some 240,000 suffering from malnutrition-are receiving regular shipments of SOS food. Immediately following the disaster, while SOS shipments were being made, CWS purchased food locally to sustain those who had lost their homes and land. Now, once a week in local churches, those in greatest need come regularly--because of gifts given through the Presiding Bishop's Fund, and elsewhere. From the Hindu district-head of a section of Bali came the following letter: "On behalf of those suffering from the catastrophe, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude, for your aid has gradually improved the well-being of the populace (781 families, or 4,105 persons) of Pengaton. For your concern and help, we pray that God may bless all Christians with safety and happiness in body and soul."
SOS in action: MANILA: PHILIPPINES. June 29, 1964. Typhoon Dading, unpredicted, one of 18 or 20 typhoons to hit the Philippine Islands annually, came, leaving thousands homeless. When the waters receded, many of the victims could return to their homes for the job of rebuilding. But vitally needed food supplies would have been unavailable without the help of the churches. Almost, immediately, long before word of action could reach CWS headquarters in New York, 254 cases of dry milk, 935 bags of cornmeal, 5 bags of flour, 402 bags of bulgur wheat, 120 cases of butter oil, 8 cases of rolled wheat, 166 cases of butter, 153 bags of CROP-sent Pinto beans and 185 cases of ghee has been distributed to the neediest. SOS foods are often in use long before the waters have receded.
SOS in action: PERU. The Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, translated into hours, means a "10:00 special" every morning in Colegio Anglo-Peruano, a Peruvian school. Ten o'clock is milk time, and every day a cup of milk and a spoonful of multi-purpose food, mixed with sugar and water, are given to the children. And, says, the project director, the youngsters "really appreciate the sign of the clasped hands of friendship on the boxes. '" The clasped hands symbol of Church World Service is found in 150 schools, clinics, camps and social centers in Peru where SOS foods are distributed.
SOS in action: INDIA. SOS travels by boat, in this case aluminum craft with 28 horsepower outboard motors. The incessant heavy monsoon rains bring with them flooding, and each time the water rises, many villages along the banks are flooded. Water transportation becomes an absolute necessity. And the National Christian Council of India, with boats supplied by Church World Service, now can carry medicines, water purification tablets and Share Our Substance foods to the victims.
SOS in action: MATHEMATICAL ACTION. Last year, every dollar given to Share Our Substance through the Presiding Bishop's Fund sent more than 300 pounds of food. Translated in specific terms, counting 16 cups per pound of powdered milk, $1 literally, in many instances, provided 4800 cups of milk. In a school lunch program, this would provide a cup a day for 960 children for a five-day week. Of course, in many instances SOS dollars are translated into loaves of bread, dishes of cereal or other necessary supplementary food items. However you figure it, SOS is a magic program. This Is because the U.S. Government provides the food, pays the ocean freight in most instances, and the churches are responsible for costs of marking, handling, insurance, and distribution overseas.