“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
— Mother Theresa

HUNGER IN YOUR BACKYARD

Roughly 1 in 10 households in the city of Mascoutah live beneath the federal poverty line.

Many more struggle to get by in these days of economic turmoil and widespread inflation.

The Church plays an important role in stepping in to meet the needs of the hungry. Concerned Christians run a Food Pantry in Mascoutah, and the Mascoutah Weekend Meals program provides bags of food for children in our community who are at risk for weekend hunger. In the Summer, the churches of Mascoutah work with these ministries to ensure every hungry household receives lunch each day while school is out of session. Mercy’s Door participates in all these efforts.

In our district, many children rely heavily on the free and reduced-cost school meal programs during the week and do not have much to eat over the weekend. More than 400 students in Mascoutah schools receive free meals (breakfast and lunch) during the week and an even greater number receive meals at a reduced cost.

The purpose of the Mascoutah Weekend Meals program is to provide children with a bag of food to take home for the weekend. Children who don’t have enough to eat are more likely to struggle in school and more likely to miss school due to illness whereas students who regularly start the day with a healthy breakfast have improved school work and better test scores.

Each Friday (or the last day of the school week), bags are sent home containing foods that are child-friendly, nutritious, non-perishable, and easy to prepare/eat. Each bag contains enough food for children to easily assemble 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches/dinners, and some snacks. These items offer children healthy meals over the weekend when schools are unable to provide breakfasts or lunches.

“Jesus answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.””
— Luke 3:11 ESV

3 WAYS TO SERVE

  • PURCHASE AND DELIVER ITEMS TO THE FOOD PANTRY/WEEKEND MEALS PROGRAM

  • VOLUNTEER TO PACK LUNCHES FOR THE WEEKEND MEALS PROGRAM

    • meets Monthly on the 3rd thursday at mascoutah middle school - 3:00pm. Just show up!

  • PACK AND DELIVER MEALS OVER THE SUMMER.

Ready to serve? Sign up here. Select “Bread First” from the drop-down list.