Children Involved with Serious Giving

Exceeding Expectations - Notes from Margaret Gorman Teacher & Students working together The children of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church Unitarian Universalist  in Charlottesville, Virginia  spent the month of February examining the issue of "Justice." They explored the issue of economic justice and hunger, and they assembled meal packets to donate to the IHS.  Our goal was for them to put together 100 full-day meal packets over three weeks and budgeted for this amount. However, at the end of the first Sunday we were astonished to find the children had used up all the supplies and we had 100 meal packets ready to put in boxes for the UVA Medical Center .   Scrambling to increase the numbers We scrambled to purchase supplies for another 100 meals. We thought this first group of children was unusual in their zeal and efficiency. We were wrong. After our second week we found ourselves with combined total of 181 complete meals sitting in boxes ready for the hospital.  Our church's Social Action Committee picked up the bill for our cost over-run but we still had another week of Justice lessons. We went shopping again for supplies and the Religious Education Program absorbed the cost. Looking over foods to be assembled into packages Who would have thought? On the final Sunday we had very young children - first and second grade - assemble meals. We did not think they could put together 100 meals and prepared to ask the teen youth group to finish the task another week. Well, we were wrong. You can see photos of this group of children at work on our final Sunday. Note how happy they are! And efficient! The only bottle neck was they are still young writers so it took them extra time to write their greeting cards. Fortunately our photographer, Mike, stopped by the classroom and heeded the pleading looks from the teachers to help put the cards in the bags and seal them for storage. The total number of meals was 282. Kids assembling packages together making a difference Involving all ages in the giving programs This is a fun and rewarding activity for all ages. Our church has now had children as young as two and three, and through our seniors, participate. Everyone understands what this is about and why it is important to help people who come to our community and  need our assistance. I would encourage any group of friends, scouts, clubs or churches to put together any number of meals for the IHS. The 10 meals we received from a preschool are just as welcome as the 282 that our church put together in our meal packet assembly line. A Final Reminder This program had a theme to explore and a minimum objective. When the enthusiasm is high and parents and church committees are prepared, the kids are a force to behold.  Visit the IHS Food Program and  link for what is involved.  Set a realistic objective and  pick a month when your church, club, business or scout troop can add to the numbers.  Remember - IHS needs about 250 meal packets every month. Thanks for your attention ... Margaret