In 2007, Fr. Shaun O'Connor brought the Take and Eat program to Hadley and to Most Holy Redeemer. He invited Deacon Frank and Kathleen Ryan to speak at our weekend Masses, explain the program and invite parishioners to take part in this Work of Mercy. They then gathered interested parishioners at several meetings to learn in detail what was involved, and 6 weeks later, the program was up and running!
Fr. Shaun then asked the Pastor of the First Congregational Church if they might consider the program for their faith community. When Deacon Frank spoke at their Sunday service they also enthusiastically took up the program. (They prepare and deliver a meal on the first Saturday of each month.)
What is the Weekend Meals program?
Once a month, a team of 4 or 5 people meets, on the Sunday following the first Saturday, to prepare a delicious meal and dessert for folks in Hadley who might be homebound, just home from hospital, sick or just in need of a break from preparing their Sunday meal. Drivers them deliver to folks along their assigned route. Our program averages 35 to 40 meals each month.
Our groups are made up of parishioners or friends of the parish who enjoy the opportunity to help their neighbors. Individual parishioners have formed a team, our Scouts have a team, and local charitable groups or businesses have all decided to pitch in to this worthy cause.Some organizations not only prepare and package the meal, they also cover that month's costs. Otherwise, each group is reimbursed by the program for its expenses. We have managed to keep our meal costs under $2.50 per meal over the years. We receive donations of fresh food from gardens and fields all around Hadley!
Would you like to learn more about helping?
Perhaps you'd like to organize a team to cook a meal one month ...
Maybe you'd like to be a driver to deliver meals ...
To learn more, you can always talk to our Weekend Meals coordinator, Donna, with an email to:
[email protected]
If you think you'd like to sign up as a driver, you can use the link in the left column to find a time that works for you, either for just one month, or for more.
Thanks for your interest in this program of mercy, we'd love to have your prayers, too!