The Israel Project
December 2006 to December 2007
Dear Friends,
We are excited about a unique opportunity we have to partner with the Jerusalem- based Christian organization, Bridges for Peace. For an entire year, Feeding The Nations will help support Israeli families who are very much in need of assistance and hope.
We are no strangers to Israel. When I was a young child, our family lived there during the Sinai War. My Father, Lester Sumrall, was determined to show his support for the nation and though strongly urged by the State Department to return to the U.S., he would not leave during the war. My Dad loved the land of Israel and her people, and he instilled that love and interest for the land in myself as well as my family. Over the years, we have made numerous trips there and have developed many wonderful friendships. My father studied and taught extensively concerning Israel's prophetic role in our world and the great significance of this Nation for Christian believers.
We have always known, and we firmly believe, that blessing the people of Israel is an aspect of our faith, which is both a responsibility, as well as a privilege. It is what God asks of us, and also what He promises to honor when we choose to love His people. In reference to Israel, the Word of God tells us, "I will bless those who bless you," (Genesis 12:3) and the Lord instructs us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you." (Psalm 122:6)
Today, throughout Israel there are many communities that are experiencing severe economic hardship. The sad reality is there are simply not enough resources to adequately care for those in need. Feeding The Nations has committed to adopting 200 families living in three different towns in Israel.
These Israeli towns are Kiryat Ata, Netanya, and Ariel. For an entire year we will supplement their budget by providing parcels of nourishing food to needy families.
I am asking you to join us as we adopt Israeli families and compassionately reach out to the people of God. A single gift of $192.00 will provide a year's supplement of food. A gift of $96.00 will lend support and supplemental help for six months, and for only $16.00 a family can receive food parcels for a whole month. This is a special season, and what a wonderful time of year to demonstrate the tangible love of God through giving. Please help us in changing the life of an Israeli family. Join us in saying: "From our family to yours, be blessed." I thank you for your compassionate response in comforting and caring for God's people. The need is urgent. Your immediate response is necessary.
Join Diane and myself as we care for a family in Israel for one year. Our prayer for you is that you will experience the fulfillment of the promise of God as you obediently bless the people of Israel. Thank you, our partners, for your continued faithful support of FTN.
In Him,
Steve and Diane Sumrall
Your participation in the Adopt an Israeli Town project places you in Israel's history at a strategic time. As one of Ariel's sponsors, your gift provides food for the neediest residents, many of them immigrants. Your gift is an investment in their future. 
In 1978, with the approval of the government of Menachem Begin, forty families, led by Ron Nachman, took up residence on top of the rocky, barren hill that is today Ariel. The living conditions were difficult, but these modern day pioneers understood the need to establish their presence in the strategic central area of biblical Samaria-what the world calls the West Bank.
Christian groups financially support many community projects to help provide the quality of living Ariel enjoys. In 2002, BFP gave $17,000 for emergency equipment and a handicapped children's school.
We are grateful that this city opens their arms to newcomers and helps them in the resettling process that is so difficult for immigrants. Your generous gifts are so appreciated!
Your participation in the Adopt an Israeli Town project places you in Israel's history at a strategic time. As one of Ariel's sponsors, your gift provides food for the neediest residents, many of them immigrants.
Your gift is an investment in their future.
KIRYAT ATA lies in the eastern part of the Zevulun Valley, some 8 miles (13 kilometers) northeast of the Mediterranean port city of Haifa, and is situated upon an important crossroad connecting the valley and the Galilee settlements. Its comfortable climate, fertile soil, and proximity to the port facilitate both agricultural and industrial development; however, today Kiryat Ata's agriculture has declined.
The settlers who came in 1925 pioneered the first Hebrew settlement in the Zevulun Valley, calling it Kfar Ata ("Village of Ata"). Years later, in 1965, Kfar Ata and Kiryat Binyamin ("City of Benjamin") were merged to form Kiryat Ata. In 1934, the establishment of the Ata factory provided many employment opportunities and encouraged development in an area that previously was only agricultural. Today, Kiryat Ata's industrial zone has more than 240 industrial enterprises, and the municipality is planning an industrial park.
Yet despite development and the absorption of some 12,000 new immigrants, the city has a high percentage of welfare recipients (2.7 percent, compared to the 1.7 percent national average), although the number has decreased in the past year. Also, 10 percent of Kiryat Ata's elderly above the age of 65-who number about 6,000, or 12 percent of the city's total population-require welfare support. The municipality offers many services to assist both young and old alike
Your participation in the Adopt-an-Israeli-Town project places you in Israel's history at a strategic time. As one of Kiryat Ata's sponsors, you help provide food for the neediest residents, many of them immigrants. Your gift is an investment in their future.
In cooperation with the municipality, Bridges for Peace delivers food to the Beit Habad (Habad House) warehouse for needy Kiryat Ata residents.
Pictured here: thank-you notes from school children receiving food from Beit Habad; volunteer kitchen staff; BFP staff accepting BFP van delivering food to Beit Habad.
Netanya
Called the "Pearl" of the Mediterranean and the "capital" of the Sharon region, Netanya was declared the first city in Israel when the nation achieved statehood in 1948.
More information to follow.
Your participation in the Adopt an Israeli Town project places you in Israel's history at a strategic time. As one of Netanya's sponsors, you help provide food for the neediest residents, many of them immigrants.
Your gift is an investment in their future.
Individual gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law. Gifts received over the necessary requirements to adequately fund this outreach will be allocated to meet other needy outreaches of Feeding The Nations.