Feeding the Hungry/ Service

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Feeding the Hungry

Rally Against Hunger Packs 100,000 Meals In August 2019, volunteers at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, donned their hair nets and got to work packing 100,000 meals for hungry neighbors. Areas very close to the Cathedral are “food deserts”—areas where families have little or no access to groceries. The effects of these food deserts multiply when schools close and children cannot eat in their school cafeterias. Recognizing this need, the community of Christ Church Cathedral organized “Rally Against Hunger,” a oneday food packing intensive project. The event’s organizers initially called for 250 volunteers; 627 people arrived at Christ Church Cathedral to lend a hand. By the numbers, Rally Against Hunger totaled 938 volunteer hours, 100,000 meals packed, 703 in attendance at worship services, and a U-Haul truck to carry the finished meals. Just one day of impressive volunteerism helped the parents of 1,700 children know where their child’s next meal was coming from. In the words of organizers KariAnn Lessner and Karen Kraycirik, “Friendships were forged, hands got dirty, and God’s presence was felt by all.”

The Beacon By the Numbers 2018

264 5

DAYS PER WEEK, THURSDAY TO MONDAY, THAT THE BEACON’S DAY CENTER OPENS TO PEOPLE SEEKING FOOD, A HOT SHOWER, CLEAN LAUNDRY, AND OTHER BASIC SERVICES

Hot meals, on average, prepared and served daily at the Day Center in 2018

51% Percentage by which the rate of homelessness in the Houston area has been reduced since 2011, according to a 2018 study by collaborative homelessness-prevention e’ort The Way Home

300 AVERAGE NUMBER OF CLIENTS WHO CHECK IN PER DAY AT THE DAY CENTER

26,966

Volunteer hours clocked at the Day Center in 2018

Holy Trinity, Port Neches, Packs Over 10,000 Meals

Holy Trinity, Port Neches, took part in a marathon food packing day of service for Rise Against Hunger. The event drew volunteers from not only the parish, but from the community-at-large. All ages came together around long tables to send packages of food to those in need. Rise Against Hunger serves people from around the world, so Holy Trinity is connecting with not only Port Neches but the international community.