Acts 2: 42, 46-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Worship Song: Goodness of God by CeeCee Winans
Happy Twenty Second Day of Thanks Everyone!
Today I give thanks for Bronx HYPE Community Dinners. They are amazing, free, accommodating, and inclusive.
Earlier this year, I was asked to be part of the parent advisory council (HYPE Squad) of our local Family Enrichment Center (The Bronx H.Y.P.E.). As a member of the HYPE Squad, I get to decide on and implement the programming, among other things, that our Mott Haven/Melrose community has told us they want to see at the FEC. In 2023, we decided that our family enrichment center would partner with a local business/restaurant, Empanology, to provide free bi-weekly community dinners on Wednesday evening for everyone in our community who RSVP’s. The owner of Empanology makes full course, gourmet, “home-style” meals that are inclusive for those with allergies, who are vegans and vegetarians, as well as the meet lovers. At our first meal, I asked the chef if he was really serious about being inclusive in meal choices for everyone, since my daughter had a strict diet for her medical condition. He asked me to share recipes that could accommodate her. To my surprise, each community dinner we attended afterwards has included a meal choice specifically for her so that even with her ketogenic dietary restrictions, she can enjoy food in community as well.
Each community dinner has been very different because a new set of community folks come to break bread and network with us. We also have a different meal each time. We play games, of which I was the longest standing champion. We get to know the people in our midst and how they can contribute to our community while they get to know about our FEC and all the wonderful things we have to offer. I love the fact that people from all walks of life within our community can bring their entire family, sit down to receive a wholesome, nutritious meal, and be loved on for that two-hour period of time. It’s a stress-free zone. The children can play and chat. We have all been known to share resources and connect each other to the people or resources that each of us need.
On several occasions we have incorporated our community style dinners into programming to demonstrate to our funders and other collaborative partners just how impactful this time of breaking bread together really is for our community. It is a time of restoration, rejuvenation, and hope. It gives families who are less fortunate, socioeconomically, an opportunity to come and partake in a meal without embarrassment or shame. It gives those who are lonely an opportunity to be in the crux of a community. It gives others an opportunity to serve others. During this year, we have fed over 200 families within our community and hope to double that number, if we can find the resources, for next year.
The Family enrichment center is an organization whose mission is to create strong wholesome community by strengthening families. One way to strengthen families physically is to ensure that they are eating properly and nutritiously. The Bronx HYPE is making that happen. We serve newborns to senior citizens and are located in areas where many at risk family populations exist.
Today, as we give thanks for Bronx Hype Community Dinners, I invite you to contribute to the 2024 HYPE community dinners that we would love to provide for our community. You can donate to our sponsoring organization, the Reggio Emilia Montessori Center at https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=3ljQEt4useDIqryU97J66hBhPBRUXM89D0y6IqQkKLyWXnSG4Ip_SrGUwEqlsAVNawyOMWYZWybQAC-o
or to the fundraiser on our Bronx HYPE Instagram page at bronxhype.fec.
Love Ya,
Have A Great Day of Thanks!
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