The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Loaves and Fishes, the summer program in Chinook for feeding local children, hosted the Chinook Chamber's monthly Business After Hours last Thursday evening at Wallner Hall. It was a time to celebrate a successful summer, enjoy some fellowship and food and learn a bit about how Loaves and Fishes ministers to local children. This was the seventh summer for the ecumenical program supported with volunteer help and donations of food and cash for the meal provided four days a week. Program organizers said this year's program was a week shorter than prior years.

Pastor Josh Seymour was elected president of the board that directs Loaves and Fishes earlier this year. A relative newcomer to Chinook, the pastor of the Chinook Assembly said before the closing program on last Thursday evening, "Kristi and I moved here during the summer of 2016, about the middle of that year's Loaves and Fishes. I got involved right away helping with music, then was asked this year to serve as board president and head up the team of summer volunteers. I love this work and have a real passion to reach these kids."

Business After Hours program on

Thursday evening

Pastor Josh, on guitar, led the kids in five different songs. He said, "We have a song book with probably sixty or more songs, but we always come back to these few favorites." One song concluded with a shout, which the kids did with gusto. Another involved some involved body and hand movements, three kids stepped forward to lead that song. And always a camp favorite everywhere, they closed with their rendition of "Sanctuary." Pastor Josh said, "I never get away from a Loaves and Fishes group without singing "Sanctuary."

Then it was time for the meal-burgers and dogs, grilled outside, and all the trimmings. After a prayer to bless the food, Pastor Josh explained to the audience there is always a short review of 'manners' before a meal. The kids shared some: no 'see food,' meaning chew with your mouth closed; keep your hands to yourself; no one starts eating until the whole table has food; pass to the right and, my favorite, "what happens in the bathroom stays in the bathroom." With that the kids, kids' guests and volunteers in the program went through the line for their food. There were 110 diners for the food and program.

Some statistics about the summer of 2017

Pastor Jack Mattingly, who also serves as treasurer for Loaves and Fishes, shared some numbers about the current summer. The average number of kids each day for the summer was 35. Mattingly said, "That's a little lower than some years." He also noted that a total of 87 children had participated in the program, some visiting family in the area and attending Loaves and Fishes only a few times.

Pastor Mattingly then recognized the four congregations that launched Loaves and Fishes, originally, and still operate it: the Alliance; Presbyterian; Methodist and Chinook Assembly. He said much of the food is donated. A lot of the produce comes from one gardener and Don and Tanis Ross, ranchers on Clear Creek Road, provide much of the meat. Food that has to be bought is done so with donated funds. By the end of this year's program, this week, the four crews of volunteer cooks will have cooked 1000+ meals. The crew leaders for the kitchen were Barb Weber, Londa Nelson, Pastor Kristi Seymour and Sharon Thackery. The leaders were assisted by a number of regular volunteers.

The kitchen is inspected by the county and the cooks have now all been trained. Pastor Mattingly said, "Our cooks meet the requirements of regular commercial or institutional facilities. It's all part of our goal to provide a healthy and safe environment when the kids are in our care."

The last part of the evening was given over to distributing book bags. Volunteers shop for age appropriate book bags and check with local teachers for school supplies that will be needed. As the kids left the evening's event, they went downstairs in Wallner Hall to rooms labelled by grades. A full book bag was available for every child. It's especially fun to watch the kids who are starting school for the first time-those book bags are pretty special to them.

Tori Snow, who will be a first grader this year, and Tanner Parson, a second grader, make their book bag selections after the Business After Hours hosted by Loaves and Fishes. Each year every child in the summer feeding program receives a book bag with school supplies based on lists from local teachers.

Pastor Josh, at the close of the evening, described some new efforts to transition kids from Loaves and Fishes in the summer to LEAP (Loving Every Amazing Person) which meets during the school year. LEAP, now headed by Pastor Kristi Seymour, is for kids 4-12 and meets every Wednesday afternoon during school. The group meets at the Chinook Assembly, downstairs, from 6:30pm-7:30pm. There will be a van service for "kids that need picked up." You can get information about LEAP by calling 457-2425 or see facebook.com/LEAPChinook. Written parental permission will be required to ride the van.

If readers have an interest in supporting Loaves and Fishes through a financial gift or food for the feeding program, contact Pastor Jack Mattingly at the United Methodist Church (357-2778). During the summer Loaves and Fishes meets during lunch time in Wallner Hall and donations can be brought there.

The next Business After Hours is set for Thursday, September 14. Chamber Secretary Jenn Hellman, who schedules those events, said she was still working on some details but the date is definite. See you at the next opportunity to learn about the community and its activities.