April 18: National Capital Presbytery

A 360º Approach to Feeding the Hungry

April 18, 2016

In May of 2015, the congregation of St. Matthew Presbyterian Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, packed over 50,000 meals that were sent around the world to people in need. The church worked in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Stop Hunger Now and partnered with nearby Rockville High School and neighbors in order to reach their goal.

Aware that hunger occurs close to home as well, the church offers a summer food program for children who normally received free or reduced-priced meals during the academic year. Volunteers pack nutritious sandwiches, snacks and desserts into bags to be distributed to those families in need. As members of the church made sandwiches and packed lunches, they wished they could include more fresh produce—which resulted in the creation of a community garden. As a result of the garden, lunches could then include carrot sticks, broccoli and other fresh produce. As the garden grew, the families of those children began to receive bags of cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, peppers and lettuce. Near and far, folks are fed through the efforts of this congregation.

Karen Chamis, Director of Congregational Development and Mission

Let us join in prayer for:

Presbytery Staff:

G. Wilson Gunn, General Presbyter
Todd McCreight, Director of Business Affairs
LaJuan Quander, Director of Communications
Michael McNamara, Mission Specialist

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Carol McGinn, BOP
Andrea McNicol, PMA
Jewel McRae, PMA

Let us pray

Holy One, as we sit down at our own tables, remind us of those who continue to hunger and thirst. Create in us a hunger and thirst for righteousness so that we might work so that all the world would know what it means to be filled with your grace. In your name, we pray. Amen.