Members from Collierville United Methodist Church (CUMC) spent a fun and rewarding evening at the FirstWorks After School Academic Program on February 11, 2010.
The children enrolled in the program are bused to Union Avenue United Methodist Church from downtown's poorest zip codes two evenings a week and on Saturdays.
Upon arrival, they eagerly jump off the FirstWorks bus ready to enjoy a good meal, fellowship and tutoring.
The children are greeted with hugs from teachers, staff and volunteers, along with a gentle reminder from Executive Director, Rev. Birgitte T. French, "Pastor Bee," saying, "Don't forget to wash your hands!" as the evening begins.
The meal blessing, which is sung loudly and energetically by everyone in the dinning hall, "Thank you Lord for giving us food, thank you Lord for giving us food, thank you Lord for giving us food, right where we are, AMEN!" precedes the introduction of the evening's "Kitchen Angels."
The kitchen angels are various churches, groups and individuals who cook and serve dinner for FirstWorks.
On this evening the Kitchen Angels were members from Collierville United Methodist Church, lead by Mike Piercey, who teaches the Emmaus Sunday School class.
Preparing and serving a hot dinner to approximately 75, most of whom are hungry children, takes organization, patience and humor. The Collierville group displayed all three traits as they formed an assembly line in the church kitchen and got the meals out without a hitch.
Mike Piercey commented, "Several of our Sunday School class's families got together and prepared a meal to share with the children, staff, and volunteers at First Works. We went there to serve others... but we were the ones who received the gift of warmth and enthusiasm from both the children and the program's volunteers. We will be looking forward to coming back again in the future!"
FirstWorks, a 501 C 3 mission, enrolls at-risk, near-homeless children and youth, grades 1 - 12, who are referred to the program by Memphis City School counselors. The program also supports a food pantry and clothes closet for the families of these children.
To donate, volunteer or find out more, please call 901.526.8228.