Many of our most impoverished parents take on second full time jobs in a desperate attempt to feed their children. This leads to a dangerous lack of sleep (jobs are typically 7 days per week), severe health issues, and despair. Hunger is obviously a huge problem for these families, but social isolation can also be debilitating as moms feel abandoned and alone in their struggles. We wanted to do something that would get the moms together and build community, so we decided to initiate weekly community meals.
Many moms pick up their kids at the end of tutoring, so we decided to “bribe” them to linger and socialize by offering a hot meal – stew with chicken and rice and vegies. It took a while to get going, but this past week they had their first community meal. We not only fed the mothers, we also fed the children and the younger siblings who came with their mothers – altogether 19 moms and 38 kids. As word gets around, we’re hoping the number of mothers participating will grow.
Our first community meal was a huge success. The mothers had an amazing time! They talked and laughed and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Sandra was SOOOO happy!!! An added bonus is we will be paying a stipend to the trade school students who are in culinary school to cook and serve the meals. When they are tied up in school, as they were this week, we will pay a couple of the moms to help. This relieves Sandra of the burden – she is already too busy – and gives some struggling families a chance to earn some money.
A healthy meal to fill their stomachs and ease their fears, social bonding so they no longer feel so alone in their struggles, and a chance to relax, laugh, and enjoy life for a change – it couldn’t have been more perfect! Some comments from the moms:
I know the amount of work you put into this. I cannot thank you enough.
Dinner was an absolute joy. I cannot express how happy I am to be here.
I feel like angels were here tonight at dinner.
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