“For kids to be without access to fruits and vegetables is unacceptable” is the way Mindy Jamison, Friendship Baptist Center Director, spoke of the Center’s new ministry. Food security has always been an issue for those around the Friendship Center, but recent illnesses among some children due to poor eating habits have prompted a new ministry. The Friendship Center has begun a new effort to provide fruits and vegetables to children and youth in their after school programs. Mindy continued, “We’ve always tried to offer healthy snacks to kids in our ministries, but we are now committed to providing these items at the Center as well as sending fruits and vegetables home with kids each week.”
The Center is purchasing these food items from a local wholesaler, but even at reduced costs, this is a new expense to add to the already tight budget.
Now, enter Woman’s Missionary Union of Iowa (WMU). The Annual Iowa WMU Meeting and Missions Celebration met this past weekend at the Friendship Baptist Center in Des Moines. The WMUers in attendance took an offering in an effort to bless the ministry of the Center. These funds, which totaled $615, will be used in this new ministry to the neighborhood.
It is estimated that this new ministry will cost about $50 each week and will impact 65 children and youth each week. The impacted children are trying plums, cantaloupe, cucumbers and other items for the first time….most of these firsts are going well.
The Jamisons would very much like to thank Iowa WMU and churches across the state for their “continued support and ministry impact in the neighborhood surrounding the Center.”
If you or your church or small group would like to contribute to this new ministry, your assistance is welcomed. You may find more information at www.friendshipbaptistcenter.org or from the Jamisons directly at 515.244.1701 and jmjamison@bciowa.org.
