Making a Difference in Old Bridge, NJ
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, we regret to inform everyone that the 2020 Old Bridge Meal Packing Event has been canceled. Even if the current quarantine restrictions were lifted before that time, the logistics of planning this event would make hosting this event prohibitive.
We thank everyone for their eagerness and support. We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. We will look forward to coming back even stronger in 2021.
The Old Bridge Meal-pack is scheduled for Saturday, June 6. We may be a few months away from the event, but the effort is now underway. Our goal this year is to once again surpass 100,000 meals. Over, the last three years, we have provided almost 300,000 meals for children in Haiti. That is no small thing. And we could not have done it without you.
There are a couple of things we ask that you would do to help us make this event possible. The first is to pray! We believe that prayer is the primary reason for the success of this event. We know that feeding children is the work of God. And what a privilege it is that we get to participate together with God to do this. There are few things that any of us will do in life that will matter more than things like this.
The second thing we ask is that you would give. The reason that we can pack the meals that are packed is because of the generous donations of many individuals. It is a collective effort. We are joining in on doing something that not on of us could do alone. If you are a business owner or manager, we also have the opportunity available for business sponsorships where we promote your business during the event.
The third thing we ask is to volunteer. It takes a community of volunteers to pack all these meals. It a small commitment that makes a big difference. If you want to learn more about volunteering, check out this video that explains the event in more detail. One of the great things about this event is that anyone can volunteer. It doesn’t matter if your are 4, 40, or 94. There is a way for everyone to contribute. Volunteer registrations will be coming soon!
Finally, I want to extend an invitation to you to a fun fundraising event that is scheduled for this Friday, March 6. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Old Bridge will be hosting a Videokey Night. All the funds raised for this event will go to support the Meal Packing effort. Even if you don’t want to sing a song, you can pay for someone else to sing a song. We would love for you to join us. Food will be available at 6:30pm and the videokey will begin at 7pm.
Once again, thank you for your tremendous support!
We received word from Numana yesterday that the 110,000 meals you helped prepare are now being sent to Haiti. They have been loaded on to a container with meals from other packing events across the country. From Kansas, the container will make its way to Haiti where it will be delivered to Mission of Hope.
These meals could not come at a better time. In the Facebook live video below, Ashley and Morgan from Numana, share about the current food crisis in Haiti. You can also see the meals you helped prepare being loaded in the background.
Thank you for your partnership in helping to make this happen. Let’s keep in our prayers the safe passage of these meals for those they are intended.
The 2019 Old Bridge Meal Packing Event wrapped up just after 1:30pm on Saturday, June 1. There were a few aching muscles to go around and many months had went into planning this event. But at the end of the day, 110,000 meals were packaged for children in Haiti. That is something to celebrate.
Those meals will now be taken back to Kansas, where Numana is headquartered, to be combined with meals from other meal packing events across the country. Toward the end of the Summer, or in the early part of the Fall, they will be shipped to Haiti.
Because of the meals you helped prepare, approximately 350 children will now receive at least one meal every day. Previously, these children did not know where their next meal would come from. They might go several days without eating. But because of you, that will no longer happen!
Our next meal packing event is already schedule. It is set to take place on Saturday, June 6, 2020. So make sure to mark your calendar now. Stay up-to-date by joining our mailing list.
Check out some of the pics from the day of the event. And you can also see a live Facebook video from the day of the event.
Thank you for helping us make a difference!
Are you getting excited? We are only two days from the Old Bridge Meal Packing Event at McDivitt Elementary School.
I apologize that the video did not work for some of you in the email that was delivered yesterday. If you missed it, you can watch the video here: oldbridgemealpack.org/why-are-we-doing-this
We currently have 257 volunteers signed up for the first shift at 10am. We have 197 volunteers signed up for the second shift. That is a total of 454 volunteers set to serve! While the registration for the first shift is now closed, we still have spots available for the second shift at 12pm. Sign up to reserve your spot before the second shift closes.
We are excited to welcome Jessica (see picture) from Numana who will serve as our event leader. She will be traveling from Kansas, where Numana is headquartered to be with us. So make sure to welcome her and all the Numana staff who will be with us. We will also be welcoming a member of the Mission of Hope, Haiti staff.
For those of you who are signed up, make sure to arrive a few minutes early to receive your hair nets and aprons (don’t worry, you’ll look great in them). Be sure to wear casual clothing and comfortable shoes. Please do not bring any food or drinks to the packaging area.
If you plan on packing with a group of people, try to arrive together. You will not be taken to a packaging station until your entire group arrives. We will encourage fun, cheering, and spontaneous dancing throughout your time; be prepared to have a good time!
Our “Green Shirt” Leaders will be wearing blue shirts for the events. I know it is confusing, but that is how we run. Anyway, if you have any questions after you arrive, just look out for one of our “Green Shirt” leaders in blue.
We have the same shirt in orange that will be available for purchase at the event. All funds raised through shirt sales will go to fund next year’s meal packing event. The shirts will be $10 each.
Take a moment and watch this video. This is why we are hosting the Old Bridge Meal Packing Event this Saturday. The need is urgent and critical. Even if you can’t join us on Saturday, please join us in praying for the nation of Haiti.
I am sometimes asked why are we helping out children in Haiti when we have children in our own country who are in need. There is no doubt that is true. And we do indeed need to help the children in our own communities.
But God does not have us limit those we help. He calls us to serve all people regardless of where they live. The Old Bridge Meal Packing event does not exclude us from helping those in our own back yard. I might even argue that it empowers us to serve them better. An event like this has a way of enlarging our hearts with compassion to do even more.
The first shift at
