Loaves and Fishes will launch seventh summer on June 5

Now in its seventh summer Loaves and Fishes, the ecumenical summer feeding program in Chinook, has taken on a fairly defined way of operating. Josh Seymour, pastor at Chinook Assembly, is the President of a recently created Board of Directors to oversee the program. He said, "Loaves and Fishes has evolved to a level where it has a regularized way of feeding and teaching local children. But there will also be some new things that we hope will improve the program."

Loaves and Fishes was created to help assure local children got a nutritious meal during the summer months. After an initial failure to qualify for a government grant to start a summer feeding program, four local congregations collaborated to create their own program, which they funded without government help. Betty Billmayer, one of the original organizers, said, "The fact our school system didn't qualify for a government grant turned out to be a blessing. It gave us the flexibility to do the program how we wanted and offer the kind of activities we felt would benefit the kids." The people who work in the program are all volunteers. The food is purchased with donations, and some food is donated by local ranchers, farmers and gardeners.

Four congregations, the Alliance, Presbyterian, Methodist and Chinook Assembly, launched the program and still operate it. Billmayer said earlier, "None of the churches could have done the program alone but as a group we make it happen." The format will be the same this year as in the past, open to kids ages five to 18 years of age. Kids arrive at Wallner Hall for lunch at 12 noon. After lunch there is Bible study and other educational activities until dismissal at 1:30 pm. The program will begin on Monday, June 5 and meet Monday through Thursdays until August 10.

Some changes in

Loaves and Fishes

Josh Seymour said, "One change we've made is to create an official board of directors with officers. Loaves and Fishes has always been a collaborative effort among the four congregations. Creating the board and establishing officers gives us a bit more of a formalized process for planning and operating." Seymour, the newest minister of the four congregations, agreed "the new guy gets to head up existing groups. I'm very happy to be the new president as I believe any programs that invest in the future of our children, and our communities, are worth supporting and participating in."

A change that will be more directly felt by parents of kids attending Loaves and Fishes is a new required permission slip for each child. Seymour explained, "Ministering with children we want to communicate with parents so they know where their kids are and we, at Loaves and Fishes, know the kids are supposed to be with us." He said the local school recently sent Loaves and Fishes permission slips home with students for parents to complete and bring to the first session. Seymour added, "If parents didn't get a permission slip, they can fill one out during the first sessions when we get started at Wallner Hall."

Seymour also said, of the new permission slip requirement, "We need to all be aware of where our children are and who is taking care of them. At Loaves and Fishes we want to be certain we are doing things the way we should to keep our kids safe." As an example he explained, "If someone wants a child younger than five to attend Loaves and Fishes, that child must be accompanied by a parent or a babysitter who is at least 16 years old. That situation will require a permission slip noting who is to accompany the child. It's all about safety of the children."

With the new focus on improving parental communication, Seymour has been working on a new Facebook site for Loaves and Fishes. He said, "We will use the new Facebook page to post information about upcoming events involving Loaves and Fishes, changes in schedules or special notices of interest to kids and parents. We'll also use the site to post photos about the programs we are doing." Once signed in to Facebook, users can search for 'Loaves and Fishes' to access the site.

And some regular

favorites will be back

Typically, there's a closing BBQ for parents, children and community supporters on the last day of Loaves and Fishes. This year, according to Seymour, the Chinook Assembly will host a Business After Hours (in conjunction with the Chinook Chamber) on the evening of August 3. Even though it's a week before the official end of the summer program, it will give everyone a chance to see what the kids have been doing and learn more about Loaves and Fishes.

As in past years, Loaves and Fishes will be giving a school backpack to every child. Local teachers provide a list of school supplies, grade appropriate, that are purchased and put in each backpack. Backpacks are then distributed at the end of the summer program.

One benefit that all the congregations have commented about over the past six years has been the opportunity for the churches to work together and for the members involved in Loaves and Fishes to get to know each other on a more personal level. Betty Billmayer said "The kitchen crews are made up of members from various churches each day. Programming is handled by different congregations working together." Loaves and Fishes is a great example of how small, rural churches can work and minister together.

If you would be interested in supporting Loaves and Fishes, with a contribution of food, financial support or as a volunteer, call Pastor Jack Mattingly at the Chinook Methodist Church or Pastor Josh Seymour at the Chinook Assembly.