A PLACE AT THE TABLE – FARE FOR ALL
In her book Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition, theologian Christine Pohl observed, “A shared meal is the activity most closely tied to the reality of God’s kingdom, just as it is the most basic expression of hospitality.”
Time spent around the table sharing food and connection with family and friends is balm for the soul. A place where memories are made, prayers are shared, and God’s grace and love draws near. But for many families in Dakota County, lack of adequate access to affordable, nutritious food makes time around the table stressful and uncertain.
Food insecurity can strike anyone. Job layoffs. Unexpected medical bills. Home or auto repairs. A worldwide pandemic. Access to healthy, nutritious food shouldn’t be a privilege for families in our community. To help bridge the gap, Easter Lutheran serves as one of two Fare for All sites in Dakota County.
The Fare for All program offers everyone a place to shop with dignity for low-cost high-quality frozen meats and healthy fresh produce. Everyone is welcome. There are no qualifying income criteria. In fact, when more people shop at Fare for All, the prices stay lower for those who need it most and access to nutritious food improves for everyone in our community.
When the pandemic hit in early spring and shutdowns ensued, Easter’s monthly Fare for All sales were forced to shut down as well. It’s been months since we last hosted a sale, so we are especially excited that Fare for All is back at Easter for a one-time drive-thru special Thanksgiving holiday sale on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Our hope is that all families in Dakota County have access to a nutritious, delicious holiday meal regardless of personal circumstance.
We cannot offer Fare for All without your help. Some of our regular volunteers are at higher risk for severe illness due to Covid-19 and can’t participate on Tuesday. If you are healthy and able to volunteer, click here to sign up. Enhanced safety measures will be followed to protect all volunteers and guests. You’ll help families across Dakota County enjoy a less stressful, healthier thanksgiving.
“Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the Universe, for you give us food to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad.”