MEALS PACKED WITH LOVE

by Martin and Ashley Butler
It was a sight to behold as 190 volunteers gathered in Apopka, Florida, at the Forest Lake Academy gymnasium to pack 30,000 healthy meals in 50 minutes. With enough ingredients to serve a family of six, 180,000 hungry stomachs would be fed. “Incredible!” declared one participant when the staggering final numbers were announced.
Forest Lake Church Collegiate/Young Adults, under the leadership of Pastor Bernie Anderson, partnered with the Orlando nonprofit organization Feeding Children Everywhere. Success happened because people of all ages—Pathfinders to great-grandmothers—wanted to make an impact on their community.
“I was so impressed with the level of energy and commitment in the volunteers who came to serve people,” noted Anderson. “Their help will make a difference right here in Orlando, where the bulk of the meals will go to Lockhart Middle School.” Here, students who are fed on school days will receive a healthy meal to share with their families on the weekend.”
“Today, you’re answering the prayers of children who are really hungry,” said Feeding Children Everywhere Event Coordinator Jarrod Fucci. “Your love packed the meals. Now, Bernie and his staff will help us deliver them.”
None of these efforts came free, even though the sum total was cheap enough. At a cost of only 25¢ per meal, it would still take $7,500 to provide 30,000 meals.
“Have faith that God will help you reach this financial goal,” encouraged Forest Lake Church member Laura Gonzalez to the young people who worked alongside Pastor Anderson in fund-raising efforts. Gonzalez not only mentored, she helped decorated baskets and, with her husband, Arnaldo, and several collegiates, took them to the lobby between church services to collect the appealed-for quarters.
Of course, it took more than quarters, even though one person turned in more than $200 worth that were unwrapped. Children emptied their piggy banks. One donor gave an anonymous gift of $1,000 in the closing days of the fund drive. When news came that more than $10,000 was raised, a resounding “Thank You, Jesus!” was heard even as dreams were expressed that “we must do this again next year.”
Reactions from those helping on the packing assembly lines and in other areas of this year’s event clearly indicated the impact that Pack the Forest had on them:
“The powerful part for me was seeing people of all ages and backgrounds who attend Forest Lake Church do something for local kids, and the impact is now!” —Alejandra Torres
“It was very fulfilling for our family to help someone in a simple way. We loved it!” —Mark Mastrapa
“It taught my kids to do something for someone else by helping other children.” —Dana Williams
“I kept remembering all the times I get hungry, and I was thinking about the Lockhart kids who must be feeling that way too.” —Kevin, representing one of the many young Pathfinder volunteers
“It was especially heartwarming around the holidays to see kids, parents, and the elderly working so passionately together for the good of others.” —Kristine Young
“It was a wonderful opportunity to be reminded of all the things for which I’m grateful such as family, shelter, food, church fellowship, and, of course, Jesus, the Bread of Life Who will always provide.” —Ron Pasos
“I can’t wait until next year when we do this again, because it will be another wonderful opportunity to serve just as Christ served others.” —Tyler Sutton
SIDEBAR: Extending the Hand of God
by Bernie Anderson
Since moving to Orlando in August 2012, I’ve come to realize that hunger in this area is a very real issue. On the March 5, 2011, CBS television program, 60 Minutes, Scott Pelly spoke of Central Florida’s hungry children in his profile, “Hard Times Generation.” This glimpse into the hearts of America’s youngest victims of tough times revealed stories and faces of children living right here in Seminole County, Florida, which is home to Forest Lake Church.
In late September, I invited 25 young adults from our congregation to join me at Pack the Park in Orlando where volunteers assembled 42,000 meals in 75 minutes for Feeding Children Everywhere. Our young people were so passionate about the experience, they asked if Forest Lake Church could partner with this nonprofit, Orlando-based organization in hosting an event. Thus, Pack the Forest was born, a December 1 date was set, and the rest is history.
You’ve read in this feature story how church members responded when invited to have a part in feeding hungry children. Forest Lake Church wants to be the leader in extending the hand of God in our community. We’ve already seen Him at work when opportunities are created to reach beyond the four walls of our church. Pack the Forest 2012 was just a taste of more to come.
With God’s blessing, the next goal is to host an event in 2013 where 100,000 meals will be assembled to feed 600,000 hungry children and their families. As the ministry of Pack the Forest moves forward, it is my prayer to never forget Jesus’ words when He spoke of feeding the hungry, “…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” —Matthew 25:40 KJV
(Gallery photos by Lee Bennett, Delwin Finch)