Dear New McKendree Church Family,

A letter from our Lay Leader, Todd Rushing:

Over the past several years, New McKendree has stepped up to lead our community by hosting Jackson’s “Feed My Starving Children Food Pack” event.  Back in March, we joined our community and packed 233,280 meals.  By doing so we ensured that 639 kids will eat every day for a year.  It was a great event.

On March 20-21, 2026, we will once again be hosting a Jackson Community Food Pack event at the Jackson Civic Center.  We are currently reaching out to other churches in our area to see if they want to participate again.  Last year, we had 22 other churches/organizations join us.  We hope to have even more this year.  In addition, the eighth graders from the Jackson Junior High School will once again be joining us.  They will be packing at the Civic Center during the school day on March 20^th.  This is the fifth year these students have joined in the goal of serving/feeding others.  Our Jackson schools are committed to graduating “Givers” and not “Takers.”  These events are truly an example of our community coming together to lift our students up and give them an opportunity to see what it is like to serve others.

As you know, hosting this event comes at a significant financial cost.  This year, New McKendree is committed to making sure the event happens by funding at least the first 100,000 meals.  That comes at a cost of $29,000.  Because of your generosity, we already have $2,128.43 in hand for this.  This year’s Thanksgiving offering will go towards this purpose.

At New McKendree, our mission statement is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”  The world of a child cannot be transformed if they go hungry.  As many of you know, New McKendree has a relationship with a church and community near Bois Dioute, Haiti.  Over the years, many from our congregation have traveled to this area to help make disciples of Jesus Christ.  On those trips, our team has had the opportunity to prepare and serve meals that were sent to this area by Feed My Starving Children.  We know firsthand the difference they make.

While we are all sitting around the table on Thanksgiving Day, eating far more than we should, remember there are many who will not have anything to eat.  Let us do our part to put some food on their table.  I am confident we will meet our goal and that God will use our hands and feet to make our community, our nation, and our world a better place.  I am proud to serve with a church family that will respond to God’s call.