We Share a Meal

To discuss and plan a meal for a poor family

The children will identify practical ways to respond to God's invitation in everyday living.

A prewritten note to the children's parents explaining that the group is putting together a food basket for a poor family in the community. Describe where, when, and how the food basket will get to the family, food pantry, or shelter. On the last line of the note, write, ?Your child,________, has volunteered to do special chores or work around the house this week to earn money to purchase_______ for the class food basket.? Finish the letter by expressing gratitude to the family for their contribution and support.

• Tell the children that there are some families and many children who won't have any food to share with their families today. Tell them that many of these children live far away but that some of them live right here in the community.
• Ask the children if they have ever been to a food pantry.
• If the children are not familiar with a food pantry, describe it to them as well as other social-concerns agencies that may exist in your parish.
• Ask the children to think about what kinds of things they would like to eat if they were really hungry. Try to steer them away from junk foods like candy, chips, and sweets.
• Ask them if they can think of a way they could help put together a food basket for a needy family. They will probably say they could go into their cabinets at home and bring something to the next session.
• Encourage the children to think of ways to earn money and go with their parents to the store to pick out an item for the food basket.
• Finally, have each child think of something he or she will work toward bringing for the food basket.
• Write the child's name and the item on the information note for his or her parents.

People Smart, Word Smart

Before the discussion begins, you may want to write on the board a list of the elements that make up a well-balanced meal.

Perhaps you or the parish can contribute grocery store gift certificates to put in the basket to help purchase the meal.

Make sure all the foods are non-perishable items.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.