Church World Service is busy providing assistance in Japan this week - just like the humanitarian agency does in the United States and across the globe whenever a disaster strikes.  Right now...

CWS's response centers on emergency relief support to at least 5,000 families, about 25,000 individuals, now living at 100 evacuation sites in the northeastern area of Japan – the prefectures of Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate, Ibaragi and Tochigi.  Assistance will include immediately required food items and non-food items through a partnership with the Japan Platform, known by the acronym JPF.

You can help by texting CWS to 50555 to donate $10 or clicking here to help now.

Those of us in the Portland area will have a special opportunity to support Church World Service on Saturday, April 9th at the Portland CROP Hunger Walk.  Here's the basic information:

10 a.m. start and finish in front of the Union Gospel Mission, 3 NW Third Ave., Portland. The course is 2.64 miles on public sidewalks and will pass several homeless agencies in downtown Portland, as well as City Hall. Please use public transportation or car pool to site as there is very limited parking. Contact Ron MacKenzie, the Coordinator, at [email protected] for more information.

Seventy-five percent of the funds raised will go to Church World Service's international relief and development programs. Fifteen percent will go to Northeast Emergency Food Program at Luther Memorial and ten percent to Oregon Food Bank.

You can learn more about the Portland CROP Hunger Walk benefiting Church World Service, register to participate and even donate by clicking here.

Founded in 1946, Church World Service is a cooperative ministry of 37 Christian denominations and communions working together to eradicate hunger and poverty and promote peace and justice among the world's most vulnerable people.  The United Church of Christ is an active member of Church World Service and CWS works with interfaith partners all across the world.