M!FJP Respite Bag Sign Up

A social outreach collaboration of Food for the Journey Project (FJP),Marianist Communities, and Our Lady of Grace Parish.

Participating community organizations are invited to prepare 50 brown lunch-size bags containing food items that travel well. Respite Bags or Bundles will be given to guests who attend the Food for the Journey Project (FJP) free meal in the Madonna Room at our Lady of Grace Parish located at 527 Forest Avenue, Dayton, OH 45405

When:

1st, 3rd, or 5th Tuesday of each month

What to include in Respite Bags:

Food

Most FJP guests are living on the street and do not have access to refrigeration or eating utensils.  Food that is shelf-stable, high in protein, and nutritious is appreciated. Some suggestions include:

• Granola bars
• Whole fruits (Oranges and bananas are favorites since many guests do not have the dental ability to eat apples and other fruit with dense edible skins.)
• Fruit cups
• Trail mix (this can be homemade or pre-packaged. Consider a mix of nuts, dried fruit, cereal, pretzels, chocolate chips or M&Ms.)
• Homemade or prepackaged desserts such as cookies and rice crispy treats.
• Snacks like pretzels, cheese-its, etc. can be purchased as individual pre-packaged snack size bags, or in bulk and then divided into smaller snack size Ziploc bags.

Personal Items Suggested for Winter Months

• Throat Lozenges (3-5 individually wrapped lozenges per bag)
• Chapstick (since these are pricey and you might not have one for every bag, please label the bag with a "C" for chapstick and FJP will give those bags to those most in need.)
• Face masks (disposable or reuseable, if not enough for every bag, please mark bag with "M" for mask included.)

Prayer

It is very meaningful to the guests when they know people are providing food and prayer. Please include a prayer card (which will be provided to you after signing up) in each bag and be sure to put the name of your group in the space provided.  FJP guests are invited to return the card with prayer intentions and we will share those intentions with your group so you can continue praying for them in a more personal way.  Once your group signs up, we will arrange to get the prayer cards to you to include in the bag.

Respite Bundles - A Simple Variation:

If you are unable to put together several items in one bag, please wrap one or two granola or energy bars in a prayer card to create 50 individual "Respite Bundles".

Delivery:

Please take your Respite Bags or Respite Bundles to the Madonna Room at Corpus Christi/Our Lady of Grace parish on your selected day between 2-3:30 pm.(Please note the time change! Since it gets dark earlier during the winter months, meal service is from 4-5pm, not 5-6pm.)  Ask for Chuck Wourms when you arrive.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Nancy Woeste @ 937/430-3096 or [email protected]