We are thrilled, once again, to share with you our experience during our annual Saint Barnabas Youth Mission trip, “Mission in the City!” Funded in part by the annual Broadway Bash, a group of seven eighth-graders, two high-schoolers, one college student and four adults participated in several locally-based mission projects. Without venturing very far afield, the group provided valuable support to organizations offering food, lodging, support and encouragement to people in need both near and far.
On the first day, Thursday, our group served at Feed My Starving Children, a Mesa-based aid organization, preparing rice meals to be sent to another country. Working alongside other people and groups, we completed 3,276 meal bags in just under two hours. These bags will provide a total of 19,656 meals, which will feed 53 children for a whole year!
On Friday, the group started out at La Mesita Apartment complex in Mesa, an establishment run by the New Leaf organization where families can live for up to four months while they find permanent housing. We decked out their after-school program area and main office with fun Fourth of July decorations. Later that day, we got busy washing windows (both inside and outside!) at the Family Promise day center on Earll in Scottsdale. (Scroll down to read more)
Saturday’s first activity had students planning menus for a family of four, for three meals a day. This practical challenge allotted each of the seven participants a $100 budget to purchase all non-perishable items. Seven students completed the related shopping for their assigned families at Walmart, looking at cost of items, portion sizes and quantities: a great exercise in useful life skills. All together, we spent $601, averaging out to $1.02 per person per meal!
Next up on Saturday, we put together 75 incentive packs for the New Leaf organization, for distribution to 12-18 year olds throughout the summer as they complete their summer reading and school work. Each pack included a $10 gift card to a fast food restaurant, snacks and an encouragement card, among other items. We rounded off the day’s service by filling air mattresses, assembling toiletry bags and filling laundry baskets with linens for the Family Promise guests who will be staying with us at Saint Barnabas over the week of June 12-19.
We are beyond thankful to be able to serve in person again and are incredibly proud of our fabulous youth for their enthusiasm, grace and dedication! Thank you to all the youth and adults involved for your “yes” to being the hands and feet of Jesus in faithful service to our fellow children of God in need.
Click here to learn more about Youth at Saint Barnabas or contact our Minister for Youth & Parish Life, Kate Fimbres.
Click here to learn more about Missions at Saint Barnabas.
