We live in an
age where there are hungry children. Hungry
children are not only across the ocean, but
also across our streets, backyards, and
playgrounds. The school districts of Marion
and Linn-Mar Schools provide free and
reduced lunches to many students.
The question
becomes, “What happens when school is not
in session?”
The answer – “Many do not eat.”
A hungry
child in our community is simply not right.
Area teachers have gathered their passion
with Marion United Methodist Churches to
create FLY (Feeding Lunch to Youth and their
families). This program will feed students
and their families lunch when school is not
in session due to Christmas/Spring Break,
In-Service Days, and Summer Vacation.
Between December 24, 2007 and December 31,
2008, we plan to prepare and feed 83 days of
lunch. Of course, we will not stop when the
calendar turns, but plan to increase our
service.
The community
of Marion, Iowa has decided. We will no longer sit
back and watch our children be hungry. Join
our efforts as we serve lunch to children
and their families when school is not in
session.
FLY –
Feeding Lunch to Youth (and their families)
The Basics
Our Goal: The goal of FLY is to provide a balanced lunch to children (and their families) when school is not in session due to holidays, in-services, and summer break.
Where will
meals be served? Mobile sites for sack lunches include:
- Azure Apartments
- Chapel Ridge Apartments
- Eagle Ridge Mobile Home Community
- Squaw Creek Village
- Marion Village
- Marion School District Schools – Varies depending on day
Day Scholarships are $250
Who is
welcome to eat?
Our target is children, youth and their
families, however no hungry person will be
turned away. Sandwiches are made at 10:30 each day.
Delivery people pick up the lunches at 12:00 to be ready to pass out at 12:15 and return around 12:45
Will you
do anything else besides feeding people?
Yes. The children will engage in practice
and maintaining of current skills of math,
reading, etc. Adults can participate in
parenting classes, financial education
(budgeting), and referrals to area agencies.
Is FLY
staff or volunteer?
Feeding Program will be done with volunteers
except the chief cook/kitchen manager.
What kind
of volunteers do you need?
Our need is wide involving many different
skills and abilities.
Behind the scenes: Donation pickups,
Publicity, Volunteer Manager, Grant Writers,
& more.
Feeding Day: Food Prep Crew,
Servers, Table mentors, Greeter, Clean up, &
Program Team
Who can
partner to help with FLY?
Businesses, Clubs, Churches, Youth Groups,
Groups engaging in Team Building exercises,
Circles, basically anyone. Sign up for a
day or sign up for a season. Our program
coordinator will provide training for groups
to be successful as they volunteer.
How is
this program funded?
The FLY Program is being funded outside of
the Church operating budget by: Donations,
Grants, Sponsorships, and Fundraising.
Please make a difference by feeding
children. The basic budget covers Startup
Costs, Food, Chief Cook, and Programming.
Sponsorships
Day
Sponsorship:
for just $270, you can support an entire day
of FLY, serving at least kids and their
families when school is not in session from
December 24 through Spring Break.
Food for Home: for just $200 you can
support our "Food for Home" bags that can be
sent home on Friday with participants
Food Donations (check with FLY
coordinator)
Bread on the Table: Provide actual
breads and bakery items for two or more FLY
meals
Meatlovers Helpers: Provide actual
meat products for two or more FLY meals.
Hot dogs, bratwurst, bacon, ground beef,
salami are all meal
options.
Eat Your Vegetables: Provide actual
fruits and vegetables for two or more FLY
meals.
Feed the Family: Provide all the
actual food for two or more FLY meals
IS this
all that FLY will do?
Nope. As we continue to grow, we dream of
having multiple serving sites, math/reading
help, parenting classes, financial budgeting
assistance, program intern, and more.
If I have
more questions, where can I go?
Pastor Melisa Bracht-Wagner melisa@fumcmarion.org 377-4856
Joan Padley, Education Program Coordinator jomap@email.com
Chief Cook
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