Fresh Food Initiative in Nashville
It all started when the Maple Valley High School Band Boosters had some extra meat left from a submarine sandwich fundraiser, and donated it to the Nashville United Methodist Church. What started out as an outreach to Alternative Education students (in the nearby Kellogg School) in need of good food and a place to spend some time during their lunch period has evolved into so much more.
When the Alternative Education Students were hanging out in front of the Nashville United Methodist Church, Pastor Diane Bowden approached the Alternative Education Principal, Tate Mix. Together they had a vision for a program that would provide food, conversation, support, and a place for students to enjoy their lunch.
Joan Keech, on behalf of the Nashville UMC, issued an invitation to the students to come to a sub sandwich lunch. The first reservation list numbered 36. But when lunchtime came nearly 70 students were ready to eat. The volunteers preparing and serving the lunch were a little concerned, but they never ran out of food, everyone left full. Joan and a crew of volunteers from the church turned this experience into a lunchtime routine that occurred every Wednesday with an average of 50 students participating.
This service filled a need in the community, but funding and supplies needed to be secured. Grants were written and the Food Bank of South Central Michigan was contacted. What has grown out of all this is a weekly distribution of fresh food to residents in need, every Tuesday, known as the Fresh Food Initiative in Nashville, where the denominational border have been crossed. They are all working toward the same goal, to "stamp out hunger" in the Community. The Maple Valley Community Center of Hope was born in 2004.
Anywhere between 160 and 200 boxes of fresh and packaged food are distributed every week, not only in Nashville, but also in Hastings at the United Methodist Church. During summer months Middleville and Delton are also involved with the Fresh Food Initiative.
The Fresh Food Initiative is a program through the Food Bank of South Central Michigan that provides fresh produce through the summer months supplied by the overabundance from the farmers of Michigan. During the winter months, funding through private donations or by grants received, sustain the program. In the past, instead of adopting a family for Christmas, people have supported a week of fresh food. The $200-$300 provides food for an average of 500 people during that week. The program will continue as long as there is funding.
The help that has been provided, the relationships that have developed and grown have been an inspiration to all involved. When leadership is done with vision, love, compassion, and guidance, legacy is the fruit. The legacy left by Tate Mix, who loved Alternative Education students, carries on through other who pick up on the vision, enlarge it, and carry it forward.
When the Alternative Education Students were hanging out in front of the Nashville United Methodist Church, Pastor Diane Bowden approached the Alternative Education Principal, Tate Mix. Together they had a vision for a program that would provide food, conversation, support, and a place for students to enjoy their lunch.
Joan Keech, on behalf of the Nashville UMC, issued an invitation to the students to come to a sub sandwich lunch. The first reservation list numbered 36. But when lunchtime came nearly 70 students were ready to eat. The volunteers preparing and serving the lunch were a little concerned, but they never ran out of food, everyone left full. Joan and a crew of volunteers from the church turned this experience into a lunchtime routine that occurred every Wednesday with an average of 50 students participating.
This service filled a need in the community, but funding and supplies needed to be secured. Grants were written and the Food Bank of South Central Michigan was contacted. What has grown out of all this is a weekly distribution of fresh food to residents in need, every Tuesday, known as the Fresh Food Initiative in Nashville, where the denominational border have been crossed. They are all working toward the same goal, to "stamp out hunger" in the Community. The Maple Valley Community Center of Hope was born in 2004.
Anywhere between 160 and 200 boxes of fresh and packaged food are distributed every week, not only in Nashville, but also in Hastings at the United Methodist Church. During summer months Middleville and Delton are also involved with the Fresh Food Initiative.
The Fresh Food Initiative is a program through the Food Bank of South Central Michigan that provides fresh produce through the summer months supplied by the overabundance from the farmers of Michigan. During the winter months, funding through private donations or by grants received, sustain the program. In the past, instead of adopting a family for Christmas, people have supported a week of fresh food. The $200-$300 provides food for an average of 500 people during that week. The program will continue as long as there is funding.
The help that has been provided, the relationships that have developed and grown have been an inspiration to all involved. When leadership is done with vision, love, compassion, and guidance, legacy is the fruit. The legacy left by Tate Mix, who loved Alternative Education students, carries on through other who pick up on the vision, enlarge it, and carry it forward.