Posted on Aug 30, 2019 in
NEWSWORTHY
Board Members and Building Committee Members: Gary Finnegan, Heather Carroll, Denise Hlavaty, Adriane Gray, Tracy Gallimore, Jennifer Hartmann, Tracy Kilpatrick, Christy Willman and Brandy Winner.
Lunches of Love (LOL) began their tenth summer session in their new 16,000 square foot home at 1416 Radio Lane in Rosenberg, better known by locals as the old bowling alley. Hosted for nine years by First United Methodist Church Rosenberg, volunteers are loving the additional space for daily operations and additional storage capacity. LOL Director and Creator Adriane Gray added, “We have space to grow our program. With the 2019 summer program coming to a close, we have already made lots of meals and memories in our new home.”
Lunches of Love is dedicated to helping end childhood hunger in Fort Bend County. Many children who depend on a nutritious breakfast and lunch each day at school are suddenly left hungry during extended school holidays and during the weekend. The organization is 100% volunteer based and has no paid staff. Each penny donated goes directly in to feeding children. Lunches are only $0.75 each, so every penny makes a positive impact.
“Our new home was definitely a leap of faith. Volunteers, supporters, donors, community organizations and our community members have stepped up to make sure that our every-growing program will continue and have room to grow,” said Gray. What began as a small church project in 2009 in one Lamar CISD school by feeding 150 children their, very first session has grown into a non-profit organization who is committed to Ending Childhood Hunger in our community. The number of schools included in the program and students served has increased each year. “Summer 2019 we are feeding 4,300 students nutritious sack lunches each day. ‘In our new larger home, we will be able to feed even more children living in food-insecure households,” Gray reported.
During the summer session, LOL utilized about 110 volunteers every day. Volunteer opportunities and donation needs can be found on-line at www.lunchesoflove.net. There are many ways to help and there are jobs for all ages. According to Gray, “There are many ways everyone can help in our facility or in your own home. It is easy to help make a difference.”
