It was challenging and disappointing to learn that Hy-Vee has made the decision to close its store at 1st Avenue NE. It serves our neighbors in the Wellington Heights, Mound View, and Oakhill Jackson areas of town. These neighborhoods already fight homelessness and people struggling to sometimes make ends meet. The store closing will make these neighborhoods even more of a food desert, meaning there is no available, healthy, or affordable food within one mile.
We greatly appreciate all Hy-Vee is doing in response in the short-term to help people in need in our area. We also applaud the work of our mayor, city council, community development, and city leaders’ efforts regarding this concern. We encourage leadership to continue this important work until there are permanent workable solutions in place for citizens and commercial organizations.
With current events it will be even harder for people in our neighborhood to provide their families with at least one nutritious meal each day. For this reason, we are asking everyone in our church to step up and join us in our expanded efforts to answer Christ’s call in Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food.” Please consider volunteering your time and or prayers to our ongoing projects such as the Matthew 25 Urban Gardens, SEMP, the HACAP food backpack program, Neighborhood Meals Program, and our newly expanded summer food drive starting soon. Our Hunger and Hope Team is always actively planning for our next opportunity to serve and would welcome your contributions.
-The First Lutheran Church Hunger & Hope Team
Martha Bonte, Nicole Chavez, Lory Christoffersen, Mark Erenberger, Ruth Jimmerson, Julie Peterson, Stephanie Phelps, Barry Sharp, Susan Sharp, David Westbrook, Michelle Westbrook, (Chair) Angie Whitmore, Doug Whitmore, and Pr. Craig Brown