Lutheran World Relief

Founded by Lutherans in the United States at the end of World War II, grounded in Lutheran theology and building on decades of experience, Lutheran World Relief tackles global poverty by helping people adapt to the challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well-being. LWR works with people of all races, religions, and nationalities to provide aid in emergencies and help families restore their lives.

Over the years Immanuel has worked in partnership with LWR in a number of ways including:

• Lenten Care Kit drives
• Quilt making (the Immanuel Piecemakers have made thousands of quilts over the years that have been sent all across the globe)
• Yearly Campaigns to support the ever-changing needs of communities supported by LWR. 

Matching Gift Campaign - May 2026

LWR Displacement Camp Support

All across the world we are seeing communities displaced by war, turmoil and violence. These families leave everything they have and all that they know behind and to live as refugees, oftentimes far from home. Many find themselves in crowded displacement camps with no possessions and no idea what might come next for their families. In these camps Lutheran World Relief shows up with the aim to provide safety and care to heartbroken families- providing them with basic necessities, saving and investment programs, and various symbols of love (such as quilts and care kits) from Lutheran communities all across the globe. This support can help families to regroup and start working towards a new future for them and their loved ones. This year our campaign is to help support the work of LWR in these displacement camps, in places such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Ecuador and Lebanon.

When forced to flee, you remind our neighbors they are not alone | Lutheran World Relief

To learn more about the work LWR does in these camps you can watch the following videos:

• LWR Quilts & Kits reach displaced families in the Democratic Republic of Congo
• A mother’s harrowing journey in South Sudan

Due to an anonymous Immanuel donor, we already have $5000 to go towards supporting families who have been displaced, and with your help we’d love to match and surpass that donation by raising $15,000 to support displaced families in two countries and around the globe. Examples of items we could purchase include:

• A Handwashing Station ($15 each)- handwashing is a simple way to stay healthy and prevent the spread of dangerous diseases. Outreach healthcare workers at displacement camps help to promote better hygiene practices and access to handwashing stations.
• A Latrine ($700 each)- access to safe water and sanitation is a human right essential to reducing poverty and protecting dignity and health. But many vulnerable communities do without one of the most simple and effective solutions for keeping our neighbors safe and healthy. Help construct a latrine, and you can be part of a significant positive change for a community.
• Solar Panel System for Mobile Clinics ($5,200 each)- There is no electrical grid in remote areas and fuel for generators is scarce, so solar panels are necessary for lighting and refrigeration. Without them, women give birth by flashlight, and there is nowhere to preserve vaccines that need to be kept cold.

We will accept donations now -June 7th.

Thank you to all Immanuel members who have contributed to LWR in the past! Since the Immanuel Piecemakers Quilting group started in 1993, over 3,000 quilts have been made for LWR. Over many years, over 1,500 kits have been donated to LWR. Lots to celebrate!

Immanuel members have been generous in financial giving to LWR over the years too. Here are the LWR campaigns Immanuel has supported each year:

(1)   2017   Syria    Bakery to make bread for war torn areas

(2)   2018   Tanzania    INVEST: Investing in New Ventures of Entrepreneurial Students

(3)   2019   Tanzania (above)

(4)   2020    Central America  Young Adults’ Education in Local Agriculture

(5)   2021    Covid vaccine & covid protection for low income countries

(6)   2022   Ripple effects from the Ukraine war

(7)   2023   Housing containers in Turkiye

(8)   2024   Ukraine mobile medical clinics

(9)   2025   Sierra Leone    Girls to School