"Whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto Me." Matthew 25:40
30 lbs. of turkey
20 lbs. of ham
400 pieces of cheese
42 loaves of bread
800 baked cookies
10 cases of juice boxes
8 boxes of chips
4 cases of applesauce
800 Ziploc baggies
400 brown lunch bags
150 missional Christ followers assembling lunch bags
20 compassionate 8th graders distributing lunches
400 guests at the Noah Project Homeless Shelter receiving a lunch bag of love... priceless!
On January 22, 150 students and family members gathered in the St. Matthew gym to assemble 400 lunches for the NOAH Project, which is a Warming Center for homeless people located in Detroit's Central Methodist Church. Throughout the entire evening, it was so much fun watching the Holy Spirit shine through families as they worked together to decorate bags, write notes of encouragement, assemble sandwiches, and pack ten lunch bags. Afterwards, families gathered together to eat pizza and enjoy fellowship.
The next morning, four cars transported eighth grade students, the 400 lunches, and over 180 hats and gloves to Central Methodist Church, which is located directly next to Comerica Park. With a beautiful view of the ballpark and new Little Caesar's Arena out the church's windows, the students distributed lunches and beverages to over 158 guests that morning. As their principal, my heart was bursting with joy as I watched our students greet and serve each guest with kindness and compassion. Many times, the guests that we served expressed words of appreciation and "God bless you."
One of the program directors, Chelsea, informed us that we were the only church signed up to bring food this week, so no second helpings were allowed that morning and the extra items were saved for Tuesday's lunch.
As we left, many students acknowledged how much they enjoyed helping others or expressed, "We have to do this again"... and I smiled as I was watching this year's motto of "Do Something" put into productive action.
Thank you so much for your support in this endeavor, and please join us in praying for the recipients of our lunch bags of love. It is our prayer that they may see Jesus in these interactions.
In His love,
Mrs. Palka