Food for Thought Charges into Its Fourth Year of Service to Logan County Youth

[November 13, 2014]  LINCOLN - Led by the Mission Committee of Lincoln’s First Presbyterian Church, “Food for Thought” provides nutritious and non-perishable supplemental food to 32 children whose families qualify for the federally funded free or reduced fee meal program. Each youth enrolled in the program at Northwest and Jefferson Elementary Schools in Lincoln receives a bag of food each Friday.

According to First Presbyterian Church Mission Committee Chair Marsha Dallas, a pool of thirty-four volunteers from the First Presbyterian congregation share the tasks of filling the sacks on Wednesdays and delivering them to the schools on Thursdays. Food for Thought organizers, Cherie Aper and Karen Sams Davis purchase the items early each week and deliver them to the church’s shelves. First Presbyterian Church buys the items at Wal-Mart, which provides some financial support for the program as does the Great Rivers Presbytery.

Much of the church’s other funding for the program comes from proceeds of its Pork Barbecue, an annual July event that draws hundreds of community members to the church.

First Presbyterian Church’s Food for Thought program has inspired other Presbyterian churches in western Illinois to begin similar programs, according to Presbytery Treasurer, Gary Davis. In addition to Food for Thought, another opportunity for volunteering is First Presbyterian’s Tutoring program, which brings a dozen community members – some from other Lincoln churches – to the Washington-Monroe Elementary School every Tuesday. Tutors provide mentoring for several elementary school students while working with the students on key basic skills.

Both the Food for Thought program and the tutoring program continually welcome new volunteers. Those interested in volunteering may contact Gary Davis (217 737-3359) for tutoring and Karen Sams Davis (217 737 3328) for Food for Thought or leave your name and phone number with Janis Klockenga (217 732-6141) in the First Presbyterian Church Office.

[Gary Davis]