Our church resides across the street from an income based apartment complex. After visiting mission arlington on a mission trip 2 summers ago, our youth decided that God was calling them to reach out to the people in this apartment complex just like they did at mission arlington. So we began having cookouts, playing with the children, and just letting the parents know that we are here for them if they need anything. For a year, the youth and other volunteers worked very diligently every other Sunday going over there and ministering to the children and families over there.
Once we earned the trust of the managers and the people there, it became evident that there was a need to have an after school program where kids can come, get their homework done, have a snack, do crafts and activities, and learn about Jesus. So that is exactly what we did! By the end of the school year, we had roughly 12 children coming every Tuesday and Thursday after school to this new ministry.
By the end of the school year the manager approached us and suggested we start holding bible studies for adults as well. So now an entirely new avenue has opened up for us where as a complex they are basically inviting us to minister to the entire family! You can expect women's bible studies, men's bible studies, and possibly some financial classes to materialize over there this year as God is throwing the doors wide open for our church to love on these families.
So gearing up this year, we had a back to school bash/cookout where we passed out school supplies, clothes, and shoes, and beared the huge expense returning back to school requires. So many single parents came and were overwhelmed and appreciative of our support and help. We wound up distributing school supplies to about 50 children!!!
Today as we were meeting to plan and try to put some organization down for the homework club and just our ministry over there in general, we were talking about how many families within the complex have to visit the food pantry, are on food stamps, don't have time to cook because they are working 2 jobs, or just can't afford to eat healthy food (canned ravioli and TV dinners make up their diet). So we began brainstorming ways that we can feed families in need, and provide them a balanced meal doing it. We are going to try and begin making easily prepared meals that can be frozen and distributed as needed rather than sending them to the food pantry where they get usually the leftovers of unwanted pantry food. I just keep thinking, we aren't doing people any real favor if we feed them, but kill their health simultaneously. With the new craze of meal planning, crock potting, and making freezer meals, I thought surely we can put all that to good use and help the hungry.
We definitely are not trying to take away from the wonderful food pantry's ministry, but are trying to live up to our role as a church by shouldering some of the responsibility! Friday is our first freezer meal prep night... If you are interested in helping in any way, that would be awesome, message me for specifics on where and when and what to bring! Or if you would rather prepare meals in the comfort of your own home, please message me so I can give you a preparation guide, and I would be glad to come get the prepared meals from you! Our goal is to prepare as many healthy freezer meals for families in need as possible and keep our freezer full so we can help a family on the spot!
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