A week after it began on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, the “Let’s Feed Our Children” program has show increased interest. Coordinators from Crossroads Community Church, Larry and Terry Vanderlaan, reported during the four days of week one, 69 meals were distributed. On Tuesday, June 7, just two days into week two, 76 free lunches were distributed. The lunch event lasts 11 weeks.
Volunteers prepare free sack lunches, provided five days a week at the Crave Building, 201 W. Market Street, in Morrison, IL. Lunches on Monday and Friday are prepared by Morrison United Methodist Church.
Meals are available for pick up from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
For the 15th year, United Way of Whiteside County is sponsoring the program during school summer vacation. Across the County, in 2015 over 34,700 lunches were distributed. Locally, there is a clear need for meal support for children and adults. Morrison lunch numbers are shown:
- 2010 (only served two days a week)–859
- 2011 (only served two days a week)–1566
- 2012–1514
- 2013–1456
- 2014–2177
- 2015–2401.
A brown bag lunch includes
- sandwich: peanut butter and jelly; bolonga on Wednesday
- 100% juice
- fresh fruit
- snack bar
- special treat.
Supplemental items–beyond a sandwich–are obtained from Sauk Valley Foodbank in Sterling, IL. Items are inventoried and ordered at the end of each week by the Vanderlaans: juice boxes, Honey Nut Cheerios bars, Welch’s PB & J snacks, pickles, Zoo Crackers, fruit cups, Scooby-Doo Snacks, Butterfinger candy, Annie’s Bunny snacks, and Slim Jim’s.
“We do this all 11 weeks,” stated Terry Vanderlaan. She is a former teacher and makes a comfortable connection with hungry children and adults, who arrive throughout the week. “I love it!” she added.
The Vanderlaans mentioned increased volunteer support from outside the Crossroads Community, and Morrison United Methodist, Churches. They listed Morrison Community Hospital, Resthave Home, and Morrison Rotary. Last year, Advantage One Credit Union donated hot dogs and buns for three weeks. The community is actively supporting this lunch initiative.
Would you, or your group, like to volunteer to help prepare lunches? Call the United Way of Whiteside County office at 815-625-7973 for more information.
Larry Vanderlaan stated people have donated money to purchase fresh fruit, which is included each day. Donations for this program can be sent to “Let’s Feed Our Children,” P. O. Box 806, Sterling, IL 61081.