Teams are forming across Chapel Hill. Some are long established partnerships, and some brand new with this day of action. Please adapt these suggestions to your situation.
Looking for a partnership? Contact Kevin at pastorkevin.ephesus@gmail.com to get started.
Below, please find some initial questions that you can expect to come up. Cooperation will work most smoothly if partners come to the table with both questions and ideas.
Getting Started for School Representatives, PTA’s, Parents
- Begin to communicate within your school (principal, PTA, counselor, teachers) to answer some of the following questions:
- How many students do we think need food support?
- What resources are already in place that can be engaged?
- What support can our PTA offer at this time?
- What will we need to bridge our resources with the need?
- Who are the faith communities or local organizations that are in our schools’ neighborhood?
- What resources can parents connect us with?
- What are our methods of communications with parents?
- Decide on a team lead to communicate and coordinate with outside partners.
Getting Started for Faith Communities:
- Communicate among your leadership to answer these types of questions:
- What schools are we already working with? Which are nearby?
- What can we offer in terms of financial and human capacity to help? (certain number of meals, financial contribution of x, volunteers.
- What resources and connections do we have within the congregation to help schools meet their needs?
- What means will we use to engage the congregation in this opportunity on short notice?
- Do we know other faith communities that we could engage to help us?
- Decide on a team lead to communicate and coordinate with outside partners.
Tips on the process:
- Once you have representatives identified, plan on the best way to communicate, whether you will meet or use phone calls, email, or texting.
- Know that it will be inspiring at times and messy at times. It’s a short turnaround for organizations and schools that often plan far in advance. Be flexible and forgiving.
- If you are sending home bags of food with children, consider including these:
- Microwavable Canned Lunch (Ravioli with Meat Sauce, Spaghetti O’s with Meatballs, Individually wrapped Mac and Cheese, Beef Stew, Red Beans and Rice, Beans and Franks, Beef a Roni, Soup, etc.)
- Lunch Snack Items (Fruit snacks, Individually packed crackers, etc)
- Granola/Cereal Bars
- Mini Cereal Boxes or Instant Oatmeal
Get stuck? Contact Kevin at pastorkevin.ephesus@gmail.com for advice or connections.