“Investing in Hope by feeding our Youth”

Feeding Lunches to Youth is committed to spreading Hope through the provision of summer lunches to the youth in our community who experience food insecurity.

Our History

In the summer of 2007, a group from Marion Methodist participated in a mission experience in North Omaha. While there, the group served meals, helped at a food pantry, and helped out throughout the city. Group members were reminded that in our community, people need these same things. Teachers in this group talked about the students who rely on hot lunch programs at their schools. For some students, those are the only meals they get. On days when there is no school, there may be no food for them.

After we returned home, this group invited others to explore and plan how to meet the needs of those children who may not eat when school is not in session. We decided to create FLY (feeding Lunch to Youth and their families) during those times. Our first lunch was served during the winter break of 2007. Since then, we have grown to 11 locations and on average 400 lunches daily.

Our hope is to be the hands and feet of Jesus by providing a sack lunch to students who otherwise would struggle to have enough food.

Matthew 25:35
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me…”

Volunteer

Join the mission and help us feed hundreds of kids during the summer months.  It’s easy, it’s fun, and it matters.

You can help make and pack the meals or you can deliver them to the sites. Find an open slot and join our vision.

Sign up to serve with us: Click here to sign up

This year our summer lunch program will go from June 5 – August 18, 2023

Our Schedule for the Summer:

FLY Serves Monday – Friday
Lunch Preparation:
10:00 – 11:30 (10 people needed)
Make sandwiches
Sack contents of lunch bag. Get tubs ready to be delivered

Lunch Delivery:
11:45 – 12:30 (24 people needed daily)
Pick up lunches at Marion Methodist Church
5050 REC Drive in Marion
Leave site at 11:50 and pass out lunches (directions will be provided)
Return leftovers and count sheet to Marion Methodist Church

Thank you for volunteering for FLY

Summer Serving Sites

Valley View Apartments – 635 Ashton Place NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Marion Village Mobile Home Park – 700 35th Street, Marion, IA 52302

Eagle Ridge Mobile Home Park – 1285 Red Fox Way, Marion, IA 52302 

Squaw Creek Mobile Home Park – 6201 Hennessey Parkway, Marion IA 52302

Chapel Ridge Apartment – 1 Chapelridge Circle, Marion, IA 52302

Novak Elementary – 401 29th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302

Wilkins Elementary – 2127 27th Street, Marion, IA 52302

Lindale Manor Mobile Home Park – 400 Lindale Drive, Marion, IA 52302

Vernon Middle School, 1350 4th Avenue, Marion, IA 52302

Marion Community Center

Contact Us
Email: gsantillan@marionmethodist
Phone: 319-377-4856
Marion Methodist Church
1298 Seventh Avenue
Marion, Iowa 52302