Ind. church fills a meal void

• Church collects meals for kids to eat during fall break
• More than 20% in Brownsburg area qualify for free or reduced school lunches

A change in the school calendar is prompting members of an Indianapolis area church to help feed students who otherwise may go hungry during a new two-week fall break.

The Fish and Loaves ministry at Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg, Ind., is working to collect food to make up two meals a day for 10 children during the break spanning Oct. 15-26.

"We want to provide breakfasts and lunches for the days when the kids would normally be getting those meals at school," says church member Shirley Maloney.

Even though the group is starting small, it still needs to collect enough donations for more than 200 individual meals -- plus snacks. The new food outreach ministry is modeled on a similar project at the church that provides school clothing and supplies for children from local low-income families, says church member Serena Runions.

Although Brownsburg is a fairly affluent bedroom community, Runions says, more than 20% of the local students qualify for free or reduced school lunches. It is a need that isn't readily visible amid the growing town's sprawling new subdivisions and bustling strip malls.

This is the first year for Brownsburg's new "balanced" school calendar, which expands the fall and spring breaks to two weeks each and shortens the summer vacation. "We are trying to fill a need," she says, "that isn't being met by any other programs."

Grocery items needed for the meals are listed on small cards shaped like fish and loaves, which are displayed at the church. The list is loaded with staples, from lunchmeats and fresh fruit to peanut butter, milk and bread.

Calvary members will select cards, then purchase the items and bring them to the church. Others will pack the food and deliver it Sunday.

Evans also reports for The Indianapolis Star