By Pastor Lex Liberatore, Lake Edge UCC and LENA member

Last month a new neighborhood effort was announced to support our most vulnerable students and families at Frank Allis Elementary School. A joint effort will provide non-perishable food to up to 60 students each weekend (more by Fall). The first scheduled delivery is Friday, January 27. This program, led by Lake Edge United Church of Christ (4200 Buckeye Road), Zion Lutheran Church (Atwood Ave @ Linden Ave) and Frank Allis School Administration, will help some 60 students each week.
 
More than just food security, we want to build community. Beginning in March, a monthly First Friday meal will be offered without cost (a free will offering will be taken). First Fridays support our neighbors, and we mean anybody. Anyone in our school community and neighborhood, whether your budget is tight or not, can come and enjoy a hot meal and time together. First Fridays will give parents a break, give children a chance to run around and have fun, help us pack the next weeks food bags, and most important, give all of us time to talk. If our neighborhood can better understand each other, we can create a real sense of hope and connection. To find out more about First Fridays or the backpack program, or to find out how you can help out, contact Pastor Lex Liberatore, 608-222-8668 or email at pastor@lakeedge.org. The First Fridays program will officially begin Friday, March 3 at 5:00pm at Lake Edge church, across from Frank Allis Elementary School.

By Pastor Lex Liberatore, Lake Edge UCC and LENA member

Beginning in late January a new community partnership will address hunger and bring our Lake Edge neighborhood together. Lake Edge United Church of Christ, Zion Lutheran Church, and Frank Allis Elementary School are organizing a "back pack nutrition program" for low-income students who attend our neighborhood elementary school. The program will provide weekend non-perishable food for up to 60 students for the Spring 2017 term at Allis, with a goal to expand to 100+ students by Fall 2017. The food is meant to help close the gap for some of the 75% of students who live at or below the poverty level at Frank Allis Elementary School. As part of this effort, a special first Friday free-meal is also planned at Lake Edge UCC beginning in February. The First Friday meal is a way to support families on a tight budget and to allow neighborhood, church, and school to mingle and build relationships with each other. If our neighborhood can learn about each other and what are lives are all about we can create a real sense of hope. Look for more details in future articles; including the official start date. For more information or to inquire about helping out, contact Pastor Lex Liberatore at Lake Edge UCC, 608-222-8668 or email at pastor@lakeedge.org.

Editor's Note: LENA has been invited to participate and contribute to the initiative.  As the program details are being worked on, the specifics are unknown at this time however LENA Board and Pastor Lex are in contact.  We will be sure to keep you informed as things progress.