BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – For several years, First Christian Church has been providing a free Thanksgiving meal in collaboration with State Street United Methodist Church.

“We did this in a variety of ways, by eating and by making things happen. But we are also focused and focused on deliveries and partnering with other organizations. So this year, we’ve partnered with the housing authority of Bowling Green, Barren River Area Safe Space for deliveries,” said Melissa Rudloff, Thanksgiving meal outreach coordinator for First Christian’s community. “We’ll also be delivering meals to residents of Bowling Green Towers, and then Meals, Inc. “We will be delivering hot Thanksgiving meals to people by partnering with.”

Food insecurity continues to be a growing problem in the country 0.7% Between 2022 and 2023.

From turkey to pumpkin pie, the church’s food is funded entirely by donations from volunteers, parishioners and community partners.

“So some of our neighbors who are dealing with food insecurity or who have to go home or who don’t have the means to serve a Thanksgiving meal or to go out and look for a Thanksgiving meal, we want to meet those needs,” Rudloff said. in question. “We want to show our love, the love of Christ and our love for our neighbors. That’s our opportunity with our community’s Thanksgiving outreach.”

American Farm Bureau Federation The average cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people in 2023 is $61.17, which works out to just under $6.20 per person, he said.

Throughout the year, the church offers a public grocery store that allows Warren County citizens to purchase food and hygiene products completely free of charge.

“We think people have the right to choose their own food for their families, and it’s a matter of basic dignity to give them a choice,” said Julie Boca, First Christian’s Community Grocery coordinator. “Everyone has their own likes, dislikes and nutritional needs. “We try to provide as much nutritious food as we can, help people prepare meals, and at the same time feel like we’re not judging anyone.”

Boca said the store is looking for small items that will help bring seasonal joy to shoppers and make things a little easier, especially during the holidays.

“Luxury items like coffee, sugar and flour so they can bake cookies with their families. Also high protein foods like canned fish and easy to heat foods. “We have a variety of items for homeless people and they can come in and pick out 15 items each week.”

Boca added that the store is always looking for groceries as well as hygiene products and pet food, but asks donors to make sure none of its products have expired.

For more information about Community Market, thanksgiving dinner or how to donate, visit First Christian Church website.

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