We began this program in 2013 to offer a weekly food supplement to families in our immediate neighborhood who would probably have difficulty feeding their children during the summer recess.
Staff and teachers at Norman Binkley Elementary School identify the families who they estimate to be in greatest need. The school communicates with each family in their own language, sending them directions of how and when to work with us.
We use funds from our congregational budget as well as monetary gifts from individuals and other sources in order to purchase food from Second Harvest Food Bank.
Each week of the summer we distribute food in relation to household size: frozen chicken, rice, dried beans, shelf-stable milk, and canned fruit and vegetables, along with cereals and eggs when available. Significant amounts of fresh produce are given to these families from our church garden.
Beginning in the Fall of 2022, our church will be helping at Tusculum Elementary with shopping for and helping distribute food to families on bi-weekly Saturdays during the school year.
We welcome your participation by: 
*donating money or canned goods.
*volunteering to pick up food from Second Harvest Food Bank.
*volunteering to help with distribution on any Tuesday, 5:00-7:00 p.m. from early June through the end of July
and on Saturdays during the school year.
*volunteering to harvest produce from church garden.
To volunteer, contact the church office: office@southendumc.org or 615-833-2077.