#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

At a time when the pandemic is still impacting those most at risk in our society, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe.

Below are a few of the programs you can support by being part of this movement.
#GivingTuesday is more than a time to support charities financially - it's an opportunity to consider how you might plan to share your kindness, time, and talent in this holiday season and in the upcoming year. Spending time in service to others helps us spiritually, mentally, and even physically.

♥ Many charities would welcome your help on a weekly or monthly basis if you have a morning or afternoon you could dedicate.

♥ If you have a skill to share, such as an accounting background, legal experience, or marketing experience, consider offering your talent to a nonprofit.

♥ There are opportunities all around us to spend time in service to the community: walking shelter dogs, finding opportunities to collect for a food bank, donating blood or platelets. Many people find opportunities to share their time and talent closer to home: does a neighbor need help with home repair or shopping, can you provide transportation (for example, during election season or to medical appointments), does a local school need volunteers to read to children?


There is a universal human desire to give back to community, and so many calls to actions (such as this one!) emphasize helping financially - but you are and can be a blessing in many more ways to a cause that inspires and excites you. Find out more here!
SWCA Synod Mission Support
and Supported Funds
Southwest California Synod Mission Support

As members of the ELCA, our faith in a loving God frees us to be generous and to participate boldly in God's work in the world. Stewardship not only about paying the church's bills, but about how congregations can "be the church together" - what Bishop Eaton calls a "manifestation of the unity we have through baptism into the body of Christ." To be generous in response to God's generosity towards us is one way we live out God's call to love our neighbor, in ways that no individual, congregation or synod can do alone.

The Southwest California Synod sends half of the mission support it receives to ELCA Churchwide, and distributes a significant percentage of the remainder back to congregations in the form of grants, as well as educational and administrative support. Mission Support dollars are very real, present, and working on every level of church structure: congregations, synodical, and churchwide.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS)

Informed by our Lutheran faith and decades of experience with migrants and refugees, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is the largest faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving vulnerable immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the U.S, resettling refugees, reuniting children and parents, and rekindling theAmerican Dream. Their legacy of compassionate service has made a difference in the lives of more than 500,000 people who have sought safety and hope in America’s communities.
AMMPARO

In Spanish, “amparo” means the protection of a living creature from suffering or damage. Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) was envisioned after witnessing the plight of children who are forced to flee their communities because of complex and interrelated reasons, including chronic violence, poverty, environmental displacement and lack of opportunities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. The ELCA seeks to pray for, advocate for, and accompany vunerable children through a connection to companion churches in the region - including companion synod relationships - and existing ministries in the U.S.
Lutheran Retreats, Camps, and Conferences

LRCC provides sanctuaries in time and space where Christ can be encountered, faith renewed and the joy of community discovered. This Lutheran outdoor ministry supplements congregational recreational outdoor ministry and camping for all ages and offers refreshing, faith-enriching retreat experiences by creating dynamic Christian community, rewarding educational opportunities and outdoor relaxation from the routine and hectic pace of life. You can support LRCC directly here.
Lutheran Social Services of Southern California is one of many essential agencies still providing daily services during the COVID-19 pandemic - but they need your help to continue and give. You can make a quick donation here. EVERY single dollar gifted to LSSSC makes a real impact, and even a small gift can go to help those in need with emergency services, case management, housing counseling, utilities, benefits access, educational services, shelter and more. 
Lutheran World Relief works with local organizations to break down the barriers that trap people in cycles of poverty and make them especially vulnerable to crises and to build up the community’s core assets — resources such as labor and skills, health and a healthy environment — that allow people to pursue productive lives. By building on the resources that exist in a community, LWR's projects create sustainable development. Be a part of it here!
Feeding Programs of the SWCA
As more and more Americans face unemployment and reduced resources, Food Banks, Pantries, and Feeding Programs have both profoundly felt the impact and risen to the challenge of providing for the hungry in the wake the COVID-19 crisis. These are only some of the congregational ministries helping to feed their communities, and doing it in the face of declining giving. By finding your local feeding program and contributing what you can you are making an immediate positive impact in your community and the world.
Beginning in 2009, Grace Diner in Culver City served 100 meals a week. By 2013 that number climbed to 300 meals, and during the pandemic that increased to 1000 meals. Support this ministry here!
Hill Avenue Grace in Pasadena services 50 to 70 homeless and underprivileged individuals and families every week with groceries and hygiene kits and turkey dinners at Thanksgiving. You can support them here.
My Friends House, Inc's mission focuses on hunger prevention and healthy living. MFH fulfills a critical need by providing a weekly food pantry, periodic clothing distribution, and health screenings to the most needy and vulnerable in our community. Support them here!
Working with Santa Barbara County Foodbank and Veggie Rescue, Bethania, Solvang began its food distribution center in response to the pandemic and is serving close to 750 unique households. Help them continue here!
Thrivent Members - Don't forget to designate your choice dollars!
Last year, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provided more than $100 million to help congregations, communities and individuals in need. Thrivent Choice program offers two ways members can recommend where Thrivent Financial distributes some of its charitable outreach funds. Some members can participate in both, based on eligibility.

Eligible Thrivent members are designated Choice Dollars, based on insurance premiums, contract values and Thrivent Financial volunteer leadership. Choice Dollars can be directed to thousands of nonprofit organizations nationwide, including your local congregation! If you are eligible to direct Choice Dollars, you will receive a letter in the mail at the point you become eligible.

Choice Dollars designated during the calendar year can be directed until March 31 of the following year. Find out more at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice!
With ELCA Good Gifts, you can choose from more than 50 charitable gifts to give in honor of friends and loved ones. Each of these gifts makes a real impact in the world, sharing the love of Christ one goat, water well or school uniform at a time. 

Start your holiday shopping now and order free, customized cards for each gift you give. Please give by November 26 to ensure that your cards arrive in time for Christmas (slower mail times are expected this year due to post office changes). Print-at-home and online cards are also available instantly at any time. 

When you give today, you can double the impact of each gift you give. Thanks to a generous group of donors, ELCA Good Gifts benefiting ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, and ELCA Where Needed Most will be matched — one for one — until we reach $125,000. This offer expires tonight — make sure you give by 11:59 p.m. Central time!
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