Congregational Kitchen www.facebook.com/CongregationalKitchen
The Congregational Kitchen is committed to demonstrating the love of God through the cheerful serving of free, delicious meals in a clean, safe, and comfortable environment to all who are hungry. This ministry has served take-out and dine-in cafeteria style meals without charge or obligation to the hungry every Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The Congregational Kitchen which began on October 5th, 2006 has served free meals to the of the Allegan community regardless of age, gender, race, religion or living conditions. Over 600 full meals are served on any given night. Through food donations and careful purchasing, the cost per meal has been held to approximately $1.00.
Whether our guests are struggling, elderly, disabled or just looking for a meal among friends, the Congregational Kitchen welcomes everyone providing healthy and delicious meals served by smiling volunteers.
All funding for the Congregational Kitchen comes from private donations from the church family, neighboring churches and individuals as well as contributions from the Church's Missions budget and occasional fundraisers. One special gift allowed the purchase of a state-of-the-art commercial stove to aid in the preparation of meals.
In addition to Thursday night meals, the Congregational Kitchen has reached out to many food pantries in the area to offer assistance with food. These pantries serve their own population and benefit weekly from the resources of our kitchen program.
Backpack Program -
The Congregational Kitchen has also oversees the "Backpack Meal Program", which provides food items to all Allegan Public School system students receiving free or reduced lunches. It was created in order to solve an ongoing problem within the school system where low income and needy students would go hungry when school was not in session. Backpacks are filled with enough food to last the student throughout the weekend sustaining them until they arrive back to school on Monday.
The total number of backpacks needed are reported by officials from each school to our food warehouse volunteers who assemble emergency food items and deliver them to all area schools on Fridays.
All staff members are volunteers. No payment or contribution by our guests is sought or suggested; no proselytizing of any kind is done; no expectation of church attendance is involved. There is no means of testing of any kind; anyone can receive a meal either by dining in our church or calling ahead and ordering meals for take-out.
Jesus dared us to "feed my flock." Here at First Congregational Church, His challenge has been answered cheerfully and lovingly.
If you would like to volunteer in any way for the Congregational Kitchen - contact program director Don Lucas 269-650-1876
If you would like to help kids by volunteering with the Backpack Meal Program - contact program director Scott Ehrich 269-673-3139
Whether our guests are struggling, elderly, disabled or just looking for a meal among friends, the Congregational Kitchen welcomes everyone providing healthy and delicious meals served by smiling volunteers.
All funding for the Congregational Kitchen comes from private donations from the church family, neighboring churches and individuals as well as contributions from the Church's Missions budget and occasional fundraisers. One special gift allowed the purchase of a state-of-the-art commercial stove to aid in the preparation of meals.
In addition to Thursday night meals, the Congregational Kitchen has reached out to many food pantries in the area to offer assistance with food. These pantries serve their own population and benefit weekly from the resources of our kitchen program.
Backpack Program -
The Congregational Kitchen has also oversees the "Backpack Meal Program", which provides food items to all Allegan Public School system students receiving free or reduced lunches. It was created in order to solve an ongoing problem within the school system where low income and needy students would go hungry when school was not in session. Backpacks are filled with enough food to last the student throughout the weekend sustaining them until they arrive back to school on Monday.
The total number of backpacks needed are reported by officials from each school to our food warehouse volunteers who assemble emergency food items and deliver them to all area schools on Fridays.
All staff members are volunteers. No payment or contribution by our guests is sought or suggested; no proselytizing of any kind is done; no expectation of church attendance is involved. There is no means of testing of any kind; anyone can receive a meal either by dining in our church or calling ahead and ordering meals for take-out.
Jesus dared us to "feed my flock." Here at First Congregational Church, His challenge has been answered cheerfully and lovingly.
If you would like to volunteer in any way for the Congregational Kitchen - contact program director Don Lucas 269-650-1876
If you would like to help kids by volunteering with the Backpack Meal Program - contact program director Scott Ehrich 269-673-3139