This summer, Midwest Food Bank Bloomington-Normal was blessed to offer a volunteer opportunity to at-risk youth. About 75 children and staff from the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington were invited to spend some time serving others, eating a lunch together and having some fun.
The children packaged MFB’s Tender Mercies meals. These meals are distributed from all MFB locations and are the mainstay of our operations in Haiti and East Africa. The children measured out ingredients of rice, beans, vegetable protein and chicken flavored seasoning, combined them, and sealed them in serving bags.
There was time to play. There were dodgeball and basketball games indoors and hula hoops, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk on the patio.
Other MFB volunteers made a home-cooked lunch for the children. Grilled meats, homemade sides and desserts were served.
At the end of their time here, the children were sent home with a Tender Mercies meal to share with their family. It was a great opportunity to show them some love and the joy of serving others.
