Frequently Asked Questions about Church World Service
- How is CWS unique?
- Is my denomination a member of CWS?
- How does CWS respond in an emergency?
- What percentage of my dollar actually goes toward program? What is CWS's overhead?
- When was CWS founded?
- How are CROP Hunger Walks and the Tools & Blankets Program related to CWS?
- Does CWS help here in the U.S.?
- What if I want to help resettle a refugee?
- I'd like to volunteer. Are there ways I can help?
If you ask the ecumenical and indigenous partner agencies with whom we work in some 80 countries, including the U.S., what makes us unique, we hope they'd say it's a sense of true of partnership on both sides--giving and taking, learning and teaching, listening and suggesting, accompanying one another on the challenging journey to a better tomorrow.
Unlike some voluntary agencies, our development priorities come from grassroots partners instead of donors. CWS tailors the response to the assistance available, e.g. provide gasoline-powered pumps where there is no fuel, money for it, or repair parts, and a hand pump would suffice. We always ask our partners, "what is the right tool for you and the people you're serving?"
CWS uses an integrated approach to ending hunger. While providing material assistance, we also work hard to address the poverty and injustices that are the root causes of hunger, raising awareness of and advocating for issues such as international debt relief, the banning of landmines, rights of the Palestinian people, and the growing HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. We also work with our partners to promote peace and reconciliation wherever possible.
Another benchmark of CWS-assisted programs is the involvement of women. Our partnership efforts always try to focus on those who are most vulnerable — usually women, children, the elderly, the sick, the specially challenged. CWS recognized early on that women do indeed "hold up half the sky." So women must be an integral part of any lasting solution to the issues of hunger and poverty.
CWS also does not do child sponsorship, a popular style of fund raising, but perhaps not the best way to help. Why? We want the freedom to address the needs of the whole community, the whole family, where, when and how our partners think it best to do so. Designated funds for child sponsorships would inhibit that, and make us — and our partners — less effective.
2. Is my denomination a member of CWS?
View list of member denominations
People from all faiths help to support the work of CWS through CROP Hunger Walks , which are interfaith community events. The some 2,000 CROP Hunger Walks in the country each year are locally organized and led, with leaders and participants from across the faith spectrum — Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Southern Baptist, Pentecostal, B'hai, Hindu, as well as Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox.
Around the world, CWS works without regard to the religious affiliation or creed of people in need.
3. How does CWS respond in an emergency?
When floods, wildfires, tornadoes, or other disasters strike in the U.S., highly-trained and valued CWS disaster response consultants are there, helping local interfaith groups to assess and respond to the special needs of their communities. CWS often helps with blankets, CWS Kits, and seed money to begin local efforts.
When disaster strikes internationally, CWS is there in partnership, supporting the work of those on the scene to provide shelter and food — whatever is necessary for people to survive. CWS is also there long after the headlines have faded, helping families and communities to rebuild — and look for lasting solutions.
Internationally, CWS is also a leader in conducting emergency preparedness training for local agencies, both governmental and non-governmental.
4. What percentage of my dollar actually goes toward program? What is CWS's overhead?
In 2004, just 15.4 cents of every CWS dollar went for overhead--4.4% for administration and 11% for fund raising and information. How good is that? Well, generally agreed upon guidelines for non-profits require that fund raising costs not exceed 35 percent of contributions, and that total fund raising and administration costs not exceed 50 percent of total income. It's also required by the National Charities Information Bureau that organizations spend at least 60 percent of annual expenses for program activities.
Church World Service was born in the aftermath of World War II in 1946. A number of denominations came together to form an agency "to do together what none of us could hope to do as well alone." Their mission was clear: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, comfort the aged, shelter the homeless. Sixty years later the mission remains, though where and how we accomplish it has changed.
6. How are CROP Hunger Walks and the Tools & Blankets Program related to CWS?
CROP Hunger Walks , the Tools & Blankets Program, and CWS Kits are just some of the many ways people can help their neighbors in need through Church World Service. CROP Hunger Walks are sponsored by Church World Service and by local groups in some 2,000 communities across the U.S. CROP Hunger Walks are interfaith community events, involving people from all walks of life, to help Church World Service end hunger around the block and around the world. Each year more than a quarter million CROP Walkers put their hearts and soles in motion to help stop hunger, one step at a time. The steps they take raise awareness and funds to help support long-term development programs in more than 80 countries, including the U.S. Locally-organized CROP Hunger Walks bring together people of all ages and faiths in a people-to-people network of local and global caring. The first CROP Hunger Walk is thought to have been held in Bismarck, ND, in 1969.
7. Does CWS help here in the U.S.?
When floods, wildfires, tornadoes, or other disasters strike in the U.S., highly-trained and valued CWS disaster recovery specialists are there, helping local interfaith groups to assess and respond to the special needs of their communities. CWS often helps with blankets, CWS kits, and seed money to begin local efforts.
In addition, CWS-sponsored CROP Hunger Walks return up to 25 percent of what they raise — some $4 million each year — to local hunger-fighting initiatives such as food banks, pantries and community gardens in their own towns and cities.
8. What if I want to help resettle a refugee?
For more information on how you and your congregation can become involved in this vital ministry, visit the CWS Immigration and Refugee Program.
9. I'd like to volunteer. Are there ways I can help?
Yes, your local CROP Hunger Walk needs you. Be a part of the leadership
team, or be a recruiter in your congregation; maybe you could staff
a rest stop on Walk day, or volunteer to work sign-up.
Your congregation can also get involved in hosting a Tools
& Blankets celebration,
or assembling and providing the funds to ship CWS
Health, School, Kids, and Baby Kits and Clean-up Buckets.
Contact your nearest CWS/CROP regional office toll-free at 1-888-CWS-CROP (that's 1-888-297- 2767) to find out where and how to help in your area.
Didn't find an answer to your question? Email and we will do our best to help.