Siblings in Christ,

EVERY MEAL is the mission focus for June! Together with this growing non-profit, FLCOC and five additional Wildfire congregations provide weekend meals to students struggling with food insecurity at Forest, Lakeview, and Meadow Lake Elementary Schools throughout the school year. Volunteers from the churches distribute meal bags by placing them in student backpacks while the children are in class, to be taken home each Friday. Wildfire Every Meal serves about 200 families every week!

 The meal bags are filled by volunteers at Every Meal’s warehouse in Roseville. Packing is easy and fun! Two-hour sessions can be scheduled on the website, www.everymeal.org. Suggested minimum age is 8-yrs-old, with an adult. Chairs are available for anyone who prefers to sit rather than stand during the packing.

Each meal bag contains “nutritious, delicious, and relevant food in a way that retains the dignity of our children and families.” Bags hold enough food to prepare a meal for four, weighing four to five pounds each. This is a manageable weight even for kindergarteners to carry.

 Every Meal is an “opt-in” program, meaning every family who wants to receive a weekend meal can do so, simply by returning a post-card which is included in the “back to school” and new student information packets. They can opt-in at any time as well as discontinue the service as desired.

Families select from tailored bags according to their dietary preferences. These include East African, Latino, Southeast Asian, Variety/Standard, and Ready-to-Eat meal options. Bags are color coded rather than labeled.

Blessings and peace to all,

Deacon Kirsten Kessel