A note from Pastor Travis 5/11/23

First United Methodist Church of Melrose is a caring community that is engaged in important and powerful ministry in our local communities and beyond. One of those ministries is The Food Drive.

I am grateful to all those who participate in The Food Drive. There are those who volunteer directly to pickup and deliver food, there are those who cook for the food distribution that we do each Sunday at our church, and there are those who volunteer to distribute the food at our church each Sunday (some people even do two or three of these). These are all important ways to serve.

Because the government has declared that the COVID emergency is over, the amount of government funds to help those facing food insecurity has been reduced. This means that we are seeing more people in need of the food assistance that we provide. As a result, our precooked meals supply has been greatly reduced to the point that the freezer downstairs in the kitchen is empty.

Jana has been working with volunteers to make sure we will have enough meals for this Sunday, but we need to restock our supplies. We are asking people to make meals to help us in this endeavor. If you need containers there are a lot of them available at the church.

Another great way to help us fill the freezer is to get a chicken pie from Harrows in Saugus. If you tell them that you are getting them for The Food Drive, you will receive 50% off! 

We also need people to help serve on Sundays. It is a simple and fun way to serve. The food is in the freezer in the chapel, so all you have to do is set up the pre-made signs around the table in the chapel and set the food up by the signs. Then, greet people as they come in and keep count of how many meals are taken. There is always another person or two helping, so you are never alone. First time volunteers are always paired with those who have done it before so that they can “show you the ropes.”

If you worship with us online, you can still volunteer to serve. You can either worship in person on that Sunday or come to the church by 11:00. You will be done by 12:30.

The summer is quickly approaching, and that means many of the regular volunteers will not be available on some weeks because they are out of town. Therefore, we need to expand our group of volunteers. 

If you would like to volunteer, please use this link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d44a8aa22abf8c70-fumc#/

Blessings,

Pastor Travis