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About Asbury's Children's
Supper Hour

 

 

 

Over the years, Asbury United  Methodist Church watched its  neighborhood change from middle-  income families to very low-income  families. The Children's Supper hour  began in 1983 as a way to meet the  need for an after school/summer nutritional meal program for the  neighborhood children. Our mission  is to provide meals and activities in a  safe, nurturing Christian environment while responding to the spiritual and social needs of the children. All children are made to feel welcome and special.

The children come from the two lowest income tracts in Springfield. For children not in school and during the summer, when the school lunch programs are not available, this meal may represent the only meal they get during the day. In addition, there are few activities in the neighborhood for the children. Gangs, violence and drug dealers are more prevalent than positive role models.

Many of our children are from broken homes with parents who have serious addictions. Many of the children suffer from neglect as well as from hunger. Hugs and attention are just as important to these children as the meal. The positive attention the children receive at our site helps enhance their self- esteem. Children with a healthy self- image are less likely to fall into the trap of drug use and crime.

Our main goal is to feed the children a nutritious meal three days a week while proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ.

We have a children's choir that enables the children, to learn how to sing. Choir concerts give the children the opportunity to perform several times throughout the year.

We have Bible lessons throughout the year and we host Vacation Bible School during the summer.

We do craft projects and display the children's artwork to further build their self-esteem- We have a Birthday Club and celebrate the children's birthdays.

We distribute personal care items several times throughout the year. We distribute socks, mittens, and gloves in the winter months. We distribute used clothing, shoes, coats, etc. as the children need them.

We promote education by distributing school supplies and assisting with homework. We provide computers for the children to use for homework and to play educational games.

At our annual Christmas party the children visit with Santa while volunteers deliver food, toys, gifts, and personal care items to each child's family.

The most rewarding measure of our success is the smiles on the children's faces and the hugs we receive from them. In addition, the children sign in at each meal, which provides us with a daily record of the number of children who attend. The sign-in sheet requires their name, address, and age.

In 1998, the Children's Supper Hour received a Special Recognition Award from the Springfield Branch of the NAACP for our commitment to the positive development of our young people.

Currently, we are funded by grants from the United Methodist Church Illinois Great River Conference, Catholic Relief Services' Operation Rice Bowl/Diocese of Springfield, and Sangamon County Community Foundation. Their support accounts for almost half of our budget. The rest of our funds come from area churches, and donations from individuals and businesses.

In the past, we received city-supported grants that prohibited us from presenting a Christian message to the children. Consequently, we have made a conscious decision not to accept funding that would limit our ability to present a Christian message.