Everett, Wash.
Published: Saturday, July 4, 2009

Churches, school district team up to feed kids

The two-week lunch program will be open to kids under 18 at Faith Lutheran Church in Everett.

By Christina Harper
Herald Writer

 EVERETT -- Juanita Clifford was taking the time to read through a long e-mail that came to her desk at the South Everett Neighborhood Center when she suddenly realized that the short message in the lengthy document was offering lunch programs. "All this means is that I need a site and some volunteers," Clifford said.

Clifford decided to get a some local organizations together and contacted Kari Reiten, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Everett, and Sharon Layton, pastor of Memorial Community Church in Everett to see if they were interested. She suggested that the three organizations pull together their resources.

The South Everett Neighborhood Center, a nondenominational family support center of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Faith and Zion Lutheran Churches and Memorial Community Church will together offer a free lunch for all children aged 18 and under from 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday and July 13 through July 17 at Faith Lutheran Church.

The money from the federally funded program goes to the Everett School District, which provides the food.

"I was immediately excited," Reiten said. "The congregation is eager to connect with the neighborhood."

Clifford, Reiten and Glenda Todd, a volunteer from Memorial Community Church, know that there are lots of low-income kids in their neighborhood. They see kids biking and walking by their churches every day.

"It's so wonderful to have an opportunity to open our doors to them with something of value," Reiten said. "A good nutritious lunch."

Lunches will include turkey sandwiches, meat and cheese wraps, veggies and dip, and cookies and milk. Menus are printed in English and Spanish. All kids have to do is to line up outside the door before 11:30 a.m.

Faith Lutheran Church is providing the space for the lunches. They will offer crafts and reading to children who stay after lunch for 45 minutes. Books from Everett Public Library will be available.

If parents come with their children and want to volunteer, they too will be offered a free lunch. Otherwise there is a $3 charge.

Volunteers from both churches are excited and eager to help with the program. They hope to serve 70 lunches the first day but if they need more they can call the Everett School District and food will be delivered.

"We are certainly responding to Jesus' commands to welcome the stranger and feed the hungry," Reiten said. "Welcome the stranger. Welcome me."

Christina Harper: 425-339-3491 or harper@heraldnet.com.

Kids' free lunch

The South Everett Neighborhood Center, Faith and Zion Lutheran Churches and Memorial Community Church will offer free lunches for all children aged 18 and under from 11:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, and July 13 through July 17 at Faith Lutheran Church, 6708 Cady Road, Everett. Optional craft time will follow from noon to 1 p.m. Meals are provided by the Everett School District. 425-355-6005.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA