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Growing Food for our CommunitiesSeveral congregations in the Grand Canyon Synod sponsor community gardensThe Garden of Eden at Esperanza (Phoenix) and Harvest of Hope at Bethlehem (Mesa) grow food and help feed the hungry.
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Feeding the Homeless
Almost 2 years ago, a member of Ascension contributed a flat of small quart-sized bags filled with nutritious snacks (raisins, juice box, granola, nuts, etc.) to one of the church's food collection areas to give to homeless hungry folks. It was such a great idea, another member decided to see if there would be interest in providing such bags -- for both humans and dogs -- for congregation members to keep in their cars and hand out when they saw someone in need on the street. It became a way for people to help without having to decide about giving money. It caught on, with members taking a bag of each every Sunday as they left worship. Over the course of the first year, Ascension volunteers prepared $500 worth of snacks. During God's Work Our Hands Day both last year and this year, the Sunday school children enthusiastically put many bags together to distribute.
Initially, no one knew if this would be a permanent ministry for Ascension. But, after the first year, a talented member (Jeff Musfeldt) built a permanent home for these bags. Several winter residents have shared that they have taken the idea back to their local churches with great success.
Almost 2 years ago, a member of Ascension contributed a flat of small quart-sized bags filled with nutritious snacks (raisins, juice box, granola, nuts, etc.) to one of the church's food collection areas to give to homeless hungry folks. It was such a great idea, another member decided to see if there would be interest in providing such bags -- for both humans and dogs -- for congregation members to keep in their cars and hand out when they saw someone in need on the street. It became a way for people to help without having to decide about giving money. It caught on, with members taking a bag of each every Sunday as they left worship. Over the course of the first year, Ascension volunteers prepared $500 worth of snacks. During God's Work Our Hands Day both last year and this year, the Sunday school children enthusiastically put many bags together to distribute.
Initially, no one knew if this would be a permanent ministry for Ascension. But, after the first year, a talented member (Jeff Musfeldt) built a permanent home for these bags. Several winter residents have shared that they have taken the idea back to their local churches with great success.