The Piglet Challenge encourages mission giving on National Pig Day
by Pat Cole | Presbyterian News Service
The Piglet Challenge begins at 10 a.m. (EST) Friday and runs for 24 hours.
LOUISVILLE — While it is not an official day on the denominational calendar, National Pig Day is Friday, and it is getting the attention of many Presbyterians who are not involved in the agricultural industry.
That is because of the Piglet Challenge, a giving opportunity linked to the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. Piglets are among the catalog gifts that exemplify ways Presbyterian Mission helps families in need secure income.
To encourage giving on National Pig Day, the Rev. Howard Reed, a retired pastor in Houston, has made a matching gift pledge. For each piglet given, he will give a piglet, up to a total of 25 piglets. A gift of $40 is required to give a piglet. Therefore, if Presbyterians give 25 piglets, their combined gifts of $1,000 will be matched by a $1,000 gift from Reed.
“This is a chance for people to double the impact of their giving,” said Bryce Wiebe, director of Special Offerings for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “While the Piglet Challenge draws a playful connection to National Pig Day, the needs these gifts will address are pressing.”
In describing the piglet giving opportunity, the Presbyterian Giving Catalog says: “Your gift of one — or a few — piglets can serve as a valuable safety net—a source of income for a family in need. When sold at market, a pig can be the very thing that helps a family through times of struggle.”
The Presbyterian Giving Catalog staff hopes that gifts of piglets on National Pig Day will exceed the 25 piglets eligible for the matching gift. The staff’s goal is 75 piglets with 25 coming from Reed’s matching gift and 50 coming from other Presbyterians.
Last year, a similar giving opportunity was presented alongside a matching gift pledge from Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona in Orlando, Fla., and the goal was exceeded.
The Piglet Challenge begins at 10 a.m. Friday (EST) and will continue for 24 hours. To make a gift, click here.
According to the website holidaycalendars.com, National Pig Day was started in 1972 in Lubbock, Texas, by sisters Ellen Stanley and Mary Lynne Rave. The website says their purpose was “to raise awareness about pigs and how important they are to humans.”
The pig will be accorded special recognition throughout 2019 since it is the Year of the Pig in the Chinese Zodiac.
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Categories: Special Offerings
Tags: national pig day, piglet challenge, presbyterian giving catalog, rev. howard reed
Ministries: Special Offerings, Gifts & Financial Support