MISSION GRANTS and MITE BOXES
"Over the years, many Lutheran Ladies Aid societies used a box to gather funds in support of local and synod ministries....The Lutheran Women's Missionary League, formally recognized by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1942, required by the newly adopted constitution and bylaws that 25% of all missionary contributions be given to the national organization shared from the districts.
At the 1953 convention, delegates reaffirmed the policy of raising funds only through voluntary offerings.... Throughout the decades, Lutheran women have stepped out in faith, setting goals and trusting God to move the hearts of His people to give generously to LWML to proclaim the Gospel. Mite boxes have changed in color and design over the years, but what has never changed is the dedication of freely given offerings for the purpose of reaching out to others with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Districts still retain 75% of mite offerings for the work of the LWML at that level. National mites fund over $1 million in mission grants. See Mission Grants for the current national grant recipients and payments."
[reprinted from www.lwml.org]