Local Church Congregation Maintains Tradition of Feeding Others

Traditions are commonplace in a family unit, and in a church family as well. This April marks another year of the church family at Spirit and Life United Methodist packaging meals for Rise Against Hunger. Spirit and Life packages at least 10,000 meals each year for Rise Against Hunger, and the meals are sent worldwide to countries experiencing extreme poverty, and countries stricken by disasters. Each meal packaged costs approximately 29 cents, and feeds a family of 4-5 people. The meals support development programs such as school lunch programs, vocational training programs, early childhood development programs, orphanages, and medical clinics in under-served areas of the globe.

The meal packaging event is a way to get members of all ages involved in service to others. The children of the church enthusiastically serve as "runners", and move bagged meals throughout the process. Their close attention to detail helps to keep the process moving. It's not unusual to hear a child remind an adult to place a partially filled bag in the transport bin very carefully; or to ask an adult to please re-measure a bag, as it looks like it may need more rice. Adults operate bag sealers, as they use heat to seal the contents of the meal bag, and perform the other meal packaging functions. There is a job for everyone, and everyone contributes to the goal. The highlight is 'banging the gong', which is done after every 1,000 meals packaged.

Anyone who would like to join this church family in serving others in completing this project are welcome to join us on April 15th at 10:00 am. We will meet at Forest Park High School, located at 15721 Forest Park Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22193. For more information, please go to www.spiritandlifechurch.org.