Bridgeport Rescue Mission is teaming up with local nonprofit Urban Impact of Black Rock, Inc. to provide meals for low-income children. Two nights each week, the Mission supplies nutritious food for hungry kids taking part in Urban Impact’s XLR8 after-school program.
“When Urban Impact approached us about their need for food to help feed hungry children in their after-school program, we immediately said yes,” states executive director Terry Wilcox. “This is an opportunity for us to equip young adults for success by meeting a basic need—providing food so they don’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from and instead can focus on their school work and future goals.”
The Mission provides an estimated 25 meals each Tuesday and Wednesday evening to children ages 6 to 14 taking part in Urban Impact’s XLR8 after-school program. The Mobile Kitchen, an established food outreach ministry of Bridgeport Rescue Mission, stops at the PT Barnum community each Tuesday evening where the XLR8 program takes place. Mobile Kitchen volunteers provide trays of hot, nutritious food to Urban Impact staff, delivering the means to serve hungry children. On Wednesday evenings, Urban Impact staff pick up food at Bridgeport Rescue Mission to serve up a healthy dinner to kids in need.
“Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s involvement is crucial to our XLR8 program,” said Urban Impact Executive Director Chris Myers. “The kids and mentors are focused on homework and other educational activities for an hour straight and a warm meal after that is essential. The meal time is an important opportunity for the mentors and kids to spend time together in prayer, discussion and playing fun mealtime games. We depend on Bridgeport Rescue Mission’s support for the preparation of the meals.”
Urban Impact’s XLR8 program provides low-income students from the PT Barnum housing community the encouragement, guidance and tools to succeed in the classroom. Many of the program participants are food insecure, relying on the school system, Urban Impact and other food outreach programs for their daily meals.
“Together, through our partnership with Urban Impact and the support of donors and volunteers, we are feeding hungry children who would otherwise go to bed hungry,” Wilcox said.
For more information on the Mission’s programs and services for homeless and hurting men, women and children, visit BridgeportRescueMission.org.
Bridgeport Rescue Mission demonstrates the love of God to hungry, homeless and addicted people throughout coastal Fairfield County, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We fight poverty from the inside out by providing a place of hope and dignity through a yearlong educational program, biblical counseling and case management. We are funded by compassionate individuals, churches, businesses and organizations.