NEW YORK–Orscheln Industries Foundation of Moberly has awarded a $10,000 grant to Catholic Near East Welfare Association. In announcing the grant, which will be disbursed over five years, foundation spokesman Donald W. Orscheln said the gift recognizes CNEWA’s humanitarian efforts in Iraq and its assistance to famine victims in Ethiopia and earthquake survivors in India. He praised the agency’s award-winning bimonthly magazine, CNEWA WORLD, calling it a “tool that spreads the agency’s message to others.”
“In many instances, organizations approach our foundation looking for financial assistance,” Mr. Orscheln said. “But in this case, we took the initiative. Over the years the magazine has given its readers a perspective on current events seldom found in the secular press.”
Msgr. Robert L. Stern, Secretary General of CNEWA, in accepting the gift, thanked Mr. Orscheln for recognizing “the work we do and the positive impact our magazine has on its readers.”
Founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926, CNEWA is a special agency of the Vatican providing support to the churches and peoples of the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe. Projects include needy child, seminarian and novice sponsorship programs; village redevelopment; health care and education; and interfaith dialogue.
Orscheln Industries Foundation was established by Orscheln Industries whose components include retailing, manufacturing and research and development. Its Farm and Home stores are a family-owned chain with shops in Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. The foundation also supports Four-H clubs in the Midwest and awards scholarships to students interested in agricultural-related fields of study.