A group of Flower Mound children proves that spreading Christmas cheer knows no age limit.
Seventy children, ages 8 to 11, formed assembly lines along a series of tables in a lofty effort to make 2,000 bologna and cheese sandwiches for the Dallas homeless community.
The truckload of sandwiches were delivered to SoupMobile – a mobile soup kitchen that feeds and shelters the homeless in Dallas.
The shelter feeds 600 to 700 people on average per day and the sandwiches are an integral part of their program.
“The No. 1 need is food for the homeless. We offer a hot, healthy and hardy meal daily, but these sandwiches can go in their backpacks to eat later. That’s invaluable,” said David Timothy, the self-titled “SoupMan,” founder and Executive Director of the SoupMobile.
“There are people who don’t know if they will have lunch or when their next meal is,” said Tiffany Murray, a Flower Mound resident and youth leader who helped spearhead the project. “That concept is so foreign to our kids. I wanted them to be thoughtful and understand their purpose in making the sandwiches.”
Cub Scouts and Activity Day girls’ group leaders of the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wards asked community members to donate items needed for the sandwiches.
Tables were stacked with endless loaves of bread, cheese, bologna, mustard and sandwich bags that lay in wait of the children.
With hair pulled back and oversized gloves placed on small hands, each child proudly assumed their task and lined up to form the sandwiches in succession.
“It really is humbling that a few people can plan something like this, and we watch as the community comes together to contribute and get involved,” said Murray. “When the children participate, it really helps to look outside themselves and think about other people.”
The service project comes on the heels of a worldwide effort by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to “Light the World” – a sort of Christmas advent calendar that encourages acts of service in ones’ local community for the 25 days in December leading up to Christmas Day.
“When I see children get involved, it’s heartwarming,” said Timothy. “These children are the future leaders of these non-profits and the ones who will make the difference. I love to see them get started early in catching the spirit of service.”
SoupMobile officials say they are always in need of donations, particularly coats and blankets in the winter.
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