Dear Rose Park,
After going for a run, Simon and I met two friends from Rose Park for breakfast this past Saturday morning at Russ’. Before we left for Russ’ Simon had already had some oatmeal and a banana. Given that, I figured he’d just have a muffin at Russ’. I was wrong. As we sat down at our table, Simon looked at me and said, “Daddy, I’m hungry.” So, I ordered him some french toast and sausage; after he polished that off, he then proceeded to eat half of my muffin. It’s a good thing I love him.
But as we drove home, I was reminded again of how many children don’t have enough food in their bellies. I was reminded of the great work Hand-2-Hand does in providing food for our neighborhood kids. When we got home, I went on to their website and was stunned to read over 80,000 children in West Michigan receive free or reduced lunch. To put that into perspective, that means roughly 1,112 school buses filled with children are being dropped off at home every weekend without food for 68-hours.
Often times when faced with a challenge we feel as if we are too small to make a difference or we simply don’t know what to do. When it comes to hungry children in our own neighborhood, the answer is pretty simple: feed them. Give them food so they can be productive and healthy members of our communities. Give them food so they can grow and mature. Give them food to sustain them in all their activities. Give them food. In one of the most famous stories in the bible Jesus says, “you give them something to eat.” So we will.
This coming Sunday, immediately following worship we’re going to ‘give them something to eat.’ We’re going to gather in the fellowship hall and pack bags of food for our neighborhood kids to take home on the weekend. It’s our way of getting involved. It’s our way of seeing a problem and trying to help. It’s our way of giving them something to eat. So, join us.
No skills required. No heavy lifting necessary. You can even do it sitting down. Just come with a smiling face and know you’re providing the warmth of Jesus through food. See you in worship and see you in the fellowship at 11:00am.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark