Bible Study distributes Christmas meals, 79 fed

MT. PLEASANT - On Christmas Day, Kate Benedict’s bible study group served 79 Christmas meals to the needy. A group of 12 women, they were joined in this cause by family and community, raising their number to 18.

“I’ve had it on my heart for several years now,” said Benedict. “My long-term goal is to open a soup kitchen, but we had heard of different people - elderly, widows, disabled, etc. - who weren’t able to have a kitchen meal.”

Originally hoping to offer a sit-down meal, the group pivoted to deliveries. It was decided that, by packing each dish cold and distributing them via delivery routes, more people could be reached. And the program has seen consistent growth. Beginning this tradition on Thanksgiving 2024, they served 25 meals on that holiday, mostly to people they knew.

On Christmas 2024, that number increased to 50. This year, the decision was made not to distribute Thanksgiving meals. Instead, the group volunteered at the Mt. Pleasant Methodist Union church, at their feast. The reason: to pool their collective resources to more effectively serve those in need.

This work would be exceedingly difficult without community support. Several local businesses lent countless containers to carry their food. This Christmas, the Benedict group received $251 in donations from the citizens, grateful for the help.

If you too wish to help, there are several ways. Soliciting donations to cover the cost of food is much appreciated. Benedict hopes to soon meet with the Henry County Ministerial Association. Should a deal be brokered with area churches, the study group hopes to feed far more people.

For those who need help, wish to volunteer, or hope to study the Bible, the group provides their phone number: 319- 931-5543.

To Kate Benedict and the Bible study group, the ultimate goal is to honor their God through their actions.

“Our goal is to serve like Jesus did, when he was walking the earth, and to be his outreach to the community,” she said. “The Bible says, ‘whatever you’re doing to the least of my brothers, that you’re doing to me.’ So, our goal is, how do we live out a Christian life in such a way that’s going to bring God glory? That’s our desire. To live our lives in such a way that God’s the one that gets the glory.”

Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com