Volume 2, Issue 10
At the Table
IMFK FALL GIVE AWAY
Saturday, October 31st
IMFK held their annual
Fall Give Away at Washington Square Park.
Partnering with Abundant
Life Christian Center and
their community REACH
program IMFK was able to
assist a large number of
refugee and needy families
on the Northside. It was a
great day!
Over 130 volunteers filled
the park to give away 546
bags of groceries, tons of
clothing, shoes, coats,
housewares and bedding.
Children enjoyed games,
music, prizes, an obstacle
course and a Pogo Pony
Race. Candy bags filled
with a variety of what the
kids call “good candy”,
were handed out by costumed characters such as ,
“Star Lord” from Guardians of the Galaxy, fighters
from Mortal Kombat,
Star Wars Stormtroopers,
Minions and Minnie
Mouse.
Thank you to Pastors
John and Lisa Carter of
Abundant Life Christian
Center for joining with us
for this spectacular event.
Thanks to all the many
IMFK Sous Chefs who
volunteered their time to
make this event such a
success.
Thank you also, all those
who donated financially
and with items to help
IMFK continue to make
the difference in the
lives of those who
have felt invisible.
The holidays are here!
Holidays mean lots of friends and family coming together around the table for more than just the “holiday” meal.
During this year’s holiday season, make those meals a time to eat with a purpose.
Stop by IMFK on Fridays from 12-6 pm or visit our website www.inmyfatherskithcen.org for store locations in
your area to pick up a few jars of IMFK Pasta Sauce.
For our out of town friends shipping is now available through
Nelson Farms Country Store (http://www.nelsonfarms.org/)
Taste and See Pasta Sauce 24oz. $6.95
All proceeds go back to IMFK to help them continue building hope and changing lives.
PO Box 11328
Syracuse, NY 13218
(315) 308-1561
Just in time for the holidays!
IMFK is offering a limited number of Christmas Baskets.
Order your basket today at:
https://inmyfatherskitchen.mycharitybox.com/
Cost is $49.95
Baskets Include:
IMFK Pasta Sauce (24 oz. jar), 6.9oz bottle of oil, pizza pan,
5 qt. colander, (2)pot holders, oven mitt, pizza cutter, spaghetti serving spoon, mini Italian Panettone cake and
Christmas Truffles.
Baskets may be picked up
Friday, Dec 11th or Friday Dec.18th
Sorry shipping is not available for these baskets.
100% of proceeds goes back to IMFK helping them to
continue building hope and changing lives!
Off the Menu with Chef John (3 columns)
Isn’t incredible to think that we are moving into the last 8 weeks of 2015! Where
has all the time flown? Right now we are
all gearing up for the holidays. Anticipating the chance to see family and friends
we may have not seen in awhile. As we
move around our city we hear the buzz
about Thanksgiving. Everyone is talking about family and friends getting together to share a delicious meal. We are
concentrating on serving each other
around the table. But is everyone being
served?
Leigh-Ann and I are thankful that we
along with all our Sous Chefs are given
the honor to serve the “under served”.
Who are the under served you may
ask? Here at IMFK it is our homeless
friends and the refugee families. But it is
also the lonely in senior centers, the forgotten in prison, the over-worked, overwhelmed single parent and the list goes
on. But there is a difference between
simply helping (serving) these people
and actually knowing them. Helping can
be accomplished from a distance. A
smile and nod to that man or woman
holding that cardboard sign or serving at
a soup kitchen. These are important
ways to serve and needed in our community. But, our interaction is impersonal and at a safe distance.
To be a friend to anyone takes time and
an investment of emotional energy. God
calls us to get messy with others. To
entangle our lives with the lives of the
under served in ways that address the
needs of the whole person—physical,
emotional and spiritual. God has called
His people to true mercy. Here at IMFK
we see it as a “voluntary sorrow that
emphasizes with the one who is suffering
to help them and relieve their sufferings.”
ness and perceive the image of God in
them.
At IMFK we have many occasions to
engage with the under served. Even
when we do not have the opportunity to
engage in a long term relational ministry
with that person, we still attempt to
know and understand them as much as
possible. This means treating them with
dignity, even in fleeting interaction. Befriending them. Recognizing the Hand of
God moving on their behalf through us
and our wonderful Sous Chefs. Together we are showing mercy as well as
giving relief to those who are suffering.
With every encounter that we are willing
to invest in with our friends we have been
allowed to see past the desperation and
instead see the valuable life God created. Leigh-Ann and I are learning from
our experiences that we cannot know
someone from a distance. We might be
able to help them but to seeing lasting
change we must get close enough to
know them. To overcome our own blind-
Together Sous Chefs, we are making a
great impact in our city as we serve those
who feel invisible. We are truly building hope and changing lives!
As we move into the holidays, LeighAnn and I want to challenge you to get
a little “messy” in helping others around
you. Reach out and get to know them the
under served around you. Share mercy.
As we close out 2015, please prayerfully
consider making your best year end contribution to IMFK. No gift is too small.