GOD'S GOODNESS IN ACTION
Meals with Meaning is open 6 days per week thanks to the help and support of our congregation and community partners. Over the past few years, we have seen dramatic and continuous increases in the number of guests who are in need of food and essential items. Thankfully, through this support, we have been gifted with dedicated volunteers, donations and joyfully I say, grant money.
Back in January of this year, Advent Lutheran Church selected St. Gregory’s as their “Church without Walls” destination. As a congregation, they leave their church building on a Sunday morning to go into the community. One of the places they reached out to was Meals with Meaning.
The group from Advent Lutheran spent several hours helping us here at St. Gregory’s. Thanks to this engagement, I had the privilege of meeting their senior pastor, Andy Hagen. Pastor Andy was determined to help Meals with Meaning in a profound way. He encouraged me to apply for a grant through the Hagen Family Foundation.
After applying and receiving the $10,000 “cooking equipment” grant, Rose Vallee researched the best appliances for us. Thanks to her diligence, we were able to purchase both an oven and refrigerator. The new oven will be in frequent use as Rose and team creates a homemade meal every Sunday. With the struggles the church has had with the air conditioner, it is a breath of fresh air (no pun intended) to rest assured that an old appliance breaking down will not be added to the mix of our frustrations.
To further tell of God’s goodness, we were able to donate the old appliances. B’nai Torah repaired and made Kosher the old refrigerator. In appreciation, they installed a new one for us. The old oven went to a non-profit in the Keys. Lisa, the program founder, has been using her home oven to feed the hungry. She was elated to receive such an incredible gift! How amazing it is to know that our old appliances will continue to bless others.
We are grateful to our many partnerships that enable Meals with Meaning to be a beacon of God’s light in this community and beyond. Thanks be to God!
-Gena Vallee