Food, glorious food for feeding local families

Published 4:24 am Saturday, April 26, 2008

By MARGO HORNER, The Mirror

Some people were worried about feeding a family of nearly 15 on Thanksgiving.

But that was small potatoes for members of Northwest Foursquare Church in Federal Way, who provided dinner for 236 Federal Way families.

For the past 10 years, members of Northwest Church have packed boxes full of Thanksgiving dinner supplies for needy families in the Westway neighborhood and families surrounding Olympic View Elementary School. This year, churchgoers expanded their efforts to include Saghalie Middle School.

All the ingredients for a feast are included in each box: Turkey, green beans, dressing, stuffing, cranberries, apples, potatoes, canned fruit, olives, brownie and cake mixes, frosting, Jell-O, yams, gravy, chicken broth, roasting pans, napkins, celery, onions, margarine, pie, rolls, candy and baby food, if needed.

The boxes also include letters from church members.

“We just want them to know that God loves them through what we do,” said Sandra Andrews, who heads the project.

All of the non-perishable food was donated by church members. They also provided funds to purchase the turkeys and fresh produce.

The meat department at Safeway allowed the church to purchase the turkeys at a discounted price.

“The church loves to do it. We’ve got a very giving congregation. Very caring, giving people,” said Mary Schell, a church member who was helping pack boxes on Monday. “I just think it’s the idea of being able to bless someone who’s in need at a time like this.”

Contact Margo Horner: mhorner@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.