On December 18, 2017, Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ, in partnership with Beaverton High School’s Community Team, BHS Counselors, Holy Trinity Church and Jesuit High School Alumni, delivered winter break meals for 92 students identified by Beaverton School District as homeless. The meals were in 8 bags with food for 2 weeks of meals. The first bag was hand stitched from painter’s canvas by a local stitching group. Over 3000 lbs of food were delivered!
Principal Anne Erwin reported:
“What a wonderful day yesterday. Your group of dedicated members flooded our school with love and support. The train of students was so amazing to watch, especially the smiles on their faces and the laughter and joy. As we begin to distribute the offering of food to our families we continue to see the love, support, and smiles.”
Bethel Pastor David Randall-Bodman linked the project support to the Church’s commitment to social justice, showing love and welcome to all people. Organizers Fran Jensen, Kate Jones and Nancy Winston were grateful for the tremendous support for these students. They see generosity in their community every day. Packing and delivering these 736 bags of food really sets the mood for the holidays!
A giant thank you to all of you for helping collect, organize, bag and drive food to Beaverton High School! This project is simply impossible without your help!
Is your hard work worth it? Mac and Nancy Macpherson came back from Beaverton High saying how thrilled and amazed the counselors were to see all this food (it filled two rooms). They couldn’t believe that a church the size of Bethel could do all this. The counselor reported that some family members were in tears. From the amazing messenger bags to the smallest bag of cocoa, you have made a big difference in someone else’s life. Bonnie Heaton, the hard working counselor we work with at BHS, sent this comment:
“The kids here are all abuzz. Because so many leadership students were involved this year, and other kids joined in during passing time, many kids have come in asking how they can help us next time. It is wonderful to develop our future partners in helping others.”
Nancy Winston, Kate Jones and Fran Jensen wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. We hope we’ll see you towards the end of March for the Spring Break Food Project. Thanks again!