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“Open Hearts Kitchen” Invites You to Supper In the 50’s and 60’s a single wage earner could support a family. By the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, it took 2 wage earners to make ends meet. Today we find many families with both parent’s working and still finding it difficult if not impossible to make ends meet. Many families find themselves at the end of their pay checks, but not at the end of their bills. Many families find themselves having to choose between paying bills or buying food. With health care costs and insurance soaring many families find themselves having to choose between medical treatments or buying food.
Some Characteristics of the Hungry America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest network of food banks, soup kitchens and shelters, served 25.3 million people last year, a 9 percent increase from 2001.
Here are some of the characteristics of those seeking emergency food assistance:
We at First United Methodist Church believe that this goes against God’s will for our world. We also believe that in a country as prosperous as ours no one should go hungry, so we asked ourselves what we could do to try and help these families. Our answer – “Open Hearts Kitchen.” Every Thursday, from 5–7pm, we will serve a free meal, for anyone who finds themselves stretched to the limit and in need of a good meal. No questions asked, no judgments made, no lectures given, just good food and good fellowship.
Meals will consist of two kinds of soup, sandwiches, fresh vegetables and fruit, drinks (coffee, water, tea, milk, and lemonade), and dessert. During the summers we will have what we like to call our “Sizzling Summer” Menu. Each week we will have a different menu from hamburgers and hot dogs to roast beef dinners. Check our menu to see what we will be serving each week. In addition to the menu we will always have sandwiches available for those who can’t eat the main course.
“Open Hearts Kitchen” is run completely by volunteers and donations. Contact us if you would be interested in volunteering to help serve a meal, or give a donation. First United Methodist Church has been a part of this community for 150 years and “Open Hearts Kitchen” is our way of continuing our ministry to this community.
“Open Hearts Kitchen” Invites You to Supper In the 50’s and 60’s a single wage earner could support a family. By the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, it took 2 wage earners to make ends meet. Today we find many families with both parent’s working and still finding it difficult if not impossible to make ends meet. Many families find themselves at the end of their pay checks, but not at the end of their bills. Many families find themselves having to choose between paying bills or buying food. With health care costs and insurance soaring many families find themselves having to choose between medical treatments or buying food.
Some Characteristics of the Hungry America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest network of food banks, soup kitchens and shelters, served 25.3 million people last year, a 9 percent increase from 2001.
Here are some of the characteristics of those seeking emergency food assistance:
- Thirty-nine percent were white, non-Hispanic; 38 percent were black; 17 percent were Hispanic.
- About 9 million were children.
- Nearly 3 million were 65 or older.
- Nearly 70 percent had incomes below the official poverty level, which is $15,067 for a family of three.
- Twelve percent were homeless.
- Forty-one percent said they have had to choose between buying food or paying for utilities.
- About a third said they had to choose between buying food or paying for medicine or medical care.
- Nearly 30 percent had at least one family member in poor health.
We at First United Methodist Church believe that this goes against God’s will for our world. We also believe that in a country as prosperous as ours no one should go hungry, so we asked ourselves what we could do to try and help these families. Our answer – “Open Hearts Kitchen.” Every Thursday, from 5–7pm, we will serve a free meal, for anyone who finds themselves stretched to the limit and in need of a good meal. No questions asked, no judgments made, no lectures given, just good food and good fellowship.
Meals will consist of two kinds of soup, sandwiches, fresh vegetables and fruit, drinks (coffee, water, tea, milk, and lemonade), and dessert. During the summers we will have what we like to call our “Sizzling Summer” Menu. Each week we will have a different menu from hamburgers and hot dogs to roast beef dinners. Check our menu to see what we will be serving each week. In addition to the menu we will always have sandwiches available for those who can’t eat the main course.
“Open Hearts Kitchen” is run completely by volunteers and donations. Contact us if you would be interested in volunteering to help serve a meal, or give a donation. First United Methodist Church has been a part of this community for 150 years and “Open Hearts Kitchen” is our way of continuing our ministry to this community.
