United Methodists everywhere joined with local programs to "Change the World," April 24-25. First United Methodist Church of Alvarado and Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties united to help the local homebound. Food drives were held at Brookshire's and David's to collect breakfast items to assist with the organization's Breakfast Program. The following weekend, the youth organized and delivered the bags to the needy homebound in Johnson County. Over 325 bags were assembled. In addition, the congregation collected funds to support the Breakfast program, which is funded by local dollars.

Launching the Breakfast Program last fall, Meals-on-Wheels (MOW) now provides breakfast alongside its hot, noontime meals to over 300 of its 750 clients. An array of foods including fruit, yogurt, muffins, breakfast bars, dry cereal with milk, and instant oatmeal is delivered by volunteers, and can be eaten the following morning or the client may want to simply snack on the items in the afternoon or evening hours.

Adding breakfast provides additional nutritional support to those MOW serves, which tend to be an at-risk population. It has been proven that it is better for older adults to eat well-balanced meals earlier in the day opposed to later. The Breakfast Program also helps address the threat of hunger in older adults, which is an astonishing 11.4% of all seniors, according to a recent study by the Meals On Wheels Association of America. Adding breakfast as a part of our home-delivered meal program is helping us address this food insecurity in our elderly population.

"With the growing needs in our communities, we are in need of projects like this one, as well as more volunteers and support to make our Breakfast program a continued success," said Amy Jackson, director of development.

Currently, Meals-on-Wheels has over 80 delivery routes providing meals in a 1,700 square mile area. Meals-on-Wheels depends on local support to deliver to 22 communities in both counties. "In addition, the need for volunteers increases as summer approaches," Jackson continued.

If you are interested in helping with the Breakfast program, volunteering, donating, or if you know of someone who could benefit from Meals-on-Wheels services, please call (817) 558-2840 or online at www.servingthechildrenofyesterday.org. Meals-on-Wheels is a community-based non-profit organization serving the homebound for 33 years.

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United Methodist "Change the World" Project
Over April 24-25 weekend, United Methodist churches were encouraged to create and participate in a service or fundraising event that helped effect positive and long-lasting change, whether it's revitalizing a food-pantry program, creating a new ministry to help the homeless, or increasing awareness of global health issues like malaria. Churches could utilize existing ministries or initiate a new outreach event.