Bread for the Journey
Our Bread for the Journey outreach was inspired by a program that MPC members encountered on a mission trip to The Pilgrimage in Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2010. This is a great service opportunity to provide non-perishable, nutritionally balanced bag lunches to help feed the homeless on the streets of Atlanta and those staying at Clifton Sanctuary Ministries who leave the shelter for the day to go on their "journey."
Morningside’s Participation:
Each quarter, we gather either during a children's outreach program or during the after-worship social time to fill the bags, often including a note with a kind word or message for the person who will receive it. Some of the bags are then taken to one of the three shelters that we partner with — Clifton Sanctuary Ministries, Journey or Shearith Israel Shelter for Women. There are also bags available for MPCers to take with us in our daily travels through the community. We're encouraged to give the food to someone in need. Share feedback of located sites of homeless and of your own experience /interaction with homeless individuals when you provide this service.
How to Get Involved:
Donate one of the non-perishable, ready-to-eat, easy-access, single-serve items requested each quarter. Protein: nuts (peanuts, cashews, almonds, pistachios) or meats (tuna, salmon or chicken); Fruits (applesauce, peaches, mixed fruit, raisins, cranberries); Vegetables: V-8 juice (6 oz.); Fiber source: granola bars, cereal bars, cheese crackers.
Prepare lunch bags with food, napkin, plastic fork, knife, spoon, hand wipes, drink. Add a note or memento e.g. God loves you, kid-made craft item e.g. decorated note, cross, etc.
Deliver bagged lunches to one of the shelters and/or to individuals on the streets.
Organize small groups of adults and/or children to become involved in this service.
Get yourself and/or you family involved per above and/or carry from your home a pre-bagged lunch as you make your "journey" to give to street homeless for their "journey."
Whom to contact:
Send an email to Shirley Adair, or give her a call at 404.910.5469.
