The 200,000 More Reasons (200KMR) initiative is launching its next phase of eliminating childhood hunger in Arkansas. Beginning in May, the initiative will transition to equipping churches to advocate for their hungry neighbors and create sustainable, vital, and connectional ministries.
“Through the generosity of the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas, 200,000 More Reasons has awarded more than $700,000 to feeding ministries in the state since 2014,” said Samantha Menley, Outreach Ministry Specialist for ARUMC. “This spring, we will complete the grant awards through 200KMR, then transition to focus on advocacy for Arkansas’s children and families struggling with food insecurity, literacy, and stable homes.”
Arkansas’s United Methodist Churches, missions, and ministries feeding children and their families may continue to access funding through the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas.
“200,000 More Reasons is still partnering with the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas, but our focus now will be on equipping churches to advocate for hungry children and families in their communities, address the literacy problems in these same communities, and grow vital churches in these areas,” Menley said. “Funding for feeding ministries will still be available and accessible, only now it will come directly from the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas and other funding resources.”
The final feeding ministry grant cycle through 200,000 More Reasons is March 1 through May 1, 2026. Those interested in pursuing funding can apply at https://arumc.wufoo.com/forms/z8it7db00tslix/.
Menley will also host an online Zoom meeting on March 25th to explain in more depth the next phase of 200K. Those seeking funding for their food ministries after May 1 can attend an online training session in July to learn how to use the Methodist Foundation of Arkansas’s grant portal and find other funding resources on the ARUMC website.
March 25th Q&A Registration Link: https://arumc.zoom.us/meeting/register/VBgiourfRA2Zs5dAElDYZQ
July 16th Methodist Foundation for Arkansas Grant Portal Training Link: https://arumc.zoom.us/meeting/register/YajSZE9tSz6x1GnLVvoqMw
“The mission of 200,000 More Reasons remains the same,” Menley said. “Immediate access to food for children; greater learning potential for these same children and opportunities for living without food insecurity for the next generation.”
For more information about 200K or how to participate, contact Samantha Menley at samantha.menley@arumc.org or visit https://arumc.org/our-ministries/200k-more-reasons/.
ABOUT 200KMR
200,000 MORE Reasons asks churches to add poverty-alleviation strategies to their ministries serving hungry children. Specifically, we focus on literacy and promoting healthy, stable families as means of hope, assistance, and the opportunity for families to move out of poverty. Our mission remains the same: 100 percent of Arkansas United Methodist churches will participate in an initiative to significantly reduce childhood hunger through feeding ministries, public witness and education for long-term stability. 200,000 MORE Reasons expands the understanding of education and long-term stability, believing that in working to alleviate poverty, we have the best opportunity for ending childhood hunger in Arkansas. Arkansas’s United Methodist Church ministries can provide access to food now; greater learning potential for the child in the future; and opportunities for living without food insecurity for the next generation.