In 2012, The Board of Outreach of the Congregational Church of Tryon, under the leadership of Priscilla Yeager, initiated a program to provide a summer weekly meal for children who were qualified for the free and reduced lunches during the school year.

The program, in partnership with Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (TBOM), has continued for the past five years. Funding is provided through the church’s annual appeal.

In the summer of 2016 the church’s Board of Outreach is now chaired by Christel Walter, and the Feed A Kid program is coordinated by Carolyne Rostick, assisted by Jessica Greve.  There are 142 children in 45 families living throughout the county who will be served.

Children are identified through the schools by teachers and counselors as at risk for food insufficiency. Over 50 volunteers from the Congregational Church and the community will pack meals at TBOM and deliver them directly to the homes.

This year volunteers from the Church of the Transfiguration in Saluda are assisting with delivery. Routes have been expanded from six to eight: three in Mill Spring, one in Green Creek, one in Tryon/Saluda, three in Columbus.

The Congregational Church of Tryon, United Church of Christ (UCC) has played an active role in the Tryon area since 1891, one of spiritual growth, outreach, justice, fellowship, and diversity. Our roots run deep and our traditions are living. We are a church that believes life is worth living, people are worth loving, and God is worth trusting. Thus we continue to adhere to our credo that ‘No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.’

Learn more at ucctryon.org, and find us on Facebook as “The Congregational Church, Tryon N.C. (United Church of Christ).”

– article submitted
by Ellen Harvey Zipf