Twenty percent of the student body in the Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Wash., depend on the National School Lunch Program for their daily nutritional needs, which are provided for at school with breakfast and lunch.
When they learned of that statistic from their school district, Bob and Susan Shamblin, members of Peninsula Lutheran Church in Gig Harbor, wondered what these families ate during the 12-day winter school break. The answer quickly became apparent: God was calling them and the congregation to say, “What we provide them.”
The Shamblins now work with school counselors each year to discover 20 families who are the “neediest of the needy” and on a real margin of hunger. They use a model learned at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Wash., to provide 12 days of kid-friendly meals to these families. The food is collected through fundraising within the congregation and securing discounts and bulk orders in partnership with a local grocery store.
“When Bob and Susan first talked to me about the 12 Days ministry, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect,” said Chuck Slocum, pastor of Peninsula. “But once they led our congregational effort it was a thing of beauty—60 church volunteers packing and delivering nutritious and plentiful meals to families in need. Bob and Susan organized, raised funds and purchased food in advance of the pre-Christmas event. It has become a huge annual service event for us.”
That “packing day” has a party atmosphere, and the enthusiasm is amazing. Friends are invited to help. The community is strengthened. A lot of energy and excitement seeps out into the rest of the life of the church.
“It was a thing of beauty—60 church volunteers packing and delivering nutritious and plentiful meals to families in need.”
After everything is packed and sorted, the meals are delivered to families. Members say that this delivery is an awesome experience. Not only is there food for 12 days, but the congregation has worked with the school counselors to show extravagant love in the form of brand-name cereals, peanut butter that is the family preference of crunchy or creamy, and an unforgettable special treat that is a family favorite. Cake? It’s going to be a huge cake with beautiful decoration. Doughnuts? There will be fancy kinds and lots of sprinkles.
For Peninsula Lutheran’s people, this ministry is a tangible way to grow in discipleship through service. Those who participate find that they want to do more and bring their children and their friends to packing day, hoping that they’ll have the same transformative experience.
The Shamblins believe it’s a gift to collect food for these families and that it’s a true outreach program with no other agenda.
The experiences of the 12 Days ministry are heartwarming and heartbreaking—the epitome of Lutheran both/and—and are turning the attention of individuals and the congregation as a whole toward Christ as he described himself in Matthew 25:40—“Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”
This article originally appeared in the Southwestern Washington Synod’s weekly “E-news” (July 24, 2024).
