June is Hunger Month

Hunger is a complex issue. Many people struggle with poverty, or live so close to the margins that they’re frequently forced to choose between either paying an unexpected bill or putting food on the table. Compounding the problem are “food deserts” – neighborhoods where there are simply no grocery stores. In areas of South and West Dallas, many people are forced to shop at convenience stores because there’s no other option.

During Hunger Month at Watermark, we will work with ministry partners in the Dallas area and serve children and families in need. The Stuff the Truck Food Drive will help support several local partners in the fight against hunger. We will also partner with CitySquare’s Food on the Move program, which delivers lunches at area apartment complexes to kids who are served by the free lunch program during the school year.

On Friday June 29, Watermark will also host the “Poverty Challenge,” an interactive experience that takes particpants through the hardships that poverty presents our neighbors in a typical month. Participants play the roles of families and workers who are living in a low-income community and trying to make ends meet. The goal is to understand the hard choices poverty forces people to make on a daily basis, so that we can serve our community more effectively.

“Over the last three years, the Watermark response to Hunger Month has been so strong that we’ve been able to address some great needs for our ministry partners in South and West Dallas,” said Watermark Director of External Focus, Jeff Ward. “This year, in addition to the Food Drive, the Watermark family will directly serve kids struggling with hunger, and have the chance to ‘walk in the shoes’ of people facing hunger and poverty every day. My hope is that as a church, Hunger Month helps us all become better equipped to understand and serve people who are living on the margins of our community.”

Give

Stuff the Truck Sundays

June 10, 17 & 24 (before & after worship services)

Donate non-perishable food, toiletries, etc.

Stuff the Truck Shopping List

Items Needed

Canned Tuna, Rice, Beans, Pasta, Peanut Butter ,Canned Soup, Chili, Canned Vegetables/Fruit, Dry Milk, Pudding Cups, Pretzels, Vanilla Wafers, Mac & Cheese, Cereal Bars

Other Items

Toothpaste* Toothbrush* Deodorant* Soap* Feminine products* Other hygiene items* Grocery bags *Zip lock bags * Baby Formula * Diapers

*Please consider donating these items, in addition to food Details & registration available at http://watermarkblogs.org/externalfocus

Volunteer for a shift and help with food donations. Location: Alley between the Watermark Tower and Worship Center

Food donations benefit:
 • Cornerstone Baptist Church (South Dallas) • CitySquare
• Brother Bill’s Helping Hand

Grow

Poverty Challenge

Friday, June 29 • 6 – 9 pm • Watermark Loft

Understand how to better serve people living on the margins by walking in their shoes. Take part in the inter- active Poverty Challenge, which will shed light on the hardship of finding food, shelter and other necessities for people struggling with unemployment, homelessness,
or those living on a limited income. Discover more and sign up at http://watermarkblogs.org/externalfocus

Serve

Food on the Move

Help CitySquare launch ‘Food on the Move’ which serves 1,000 meals daily to kids in need. Help distribute door hangers and meals at local apartment complexes (see blog for locations). Space is limited. Great for families and community groups!

Saturday, June 2 • 9 – 11 am (door hanger delivery)

Wednesday, June 6 • 12–1:30 pm (lunch delivery)

Tuesday, June 19 • 12–1:30 pm (lunch delivery)

Details & registration available at

http://watermarkblogs.org/externalfocus

Hunger Facts

According to the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB):

• Of NTFB clients, 40% have to choose between paying for 
food and paying for medicine or medical care (the national 
statistic is 30%). 
• The number of people NTFB’s food pantries serve each month would fill the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium 2 1/2 
The rate of childhood hunger in Texas has gone up over 2% 
since last year’s NTFB report – meaning that 163,525 more kids in our state are struggling with hunger today.