Christian Athletes package 46,000 meals

MONTEZUMA -- About 160 student athletes, coaches and adult volunteers met at the Montezuma Community Schools Saturday, April 6 where they packaged more than 46,000 domestic meals for local and area food pantries.

The conference-wide event drew student members of Fellowship of Christian Athlete chapters and coaches from across the South Iowa Cedar League.

Schools represented at the event included Montezuma, Lynnville-Sully, North Mahaska, BGM, Iowa Valley and Belle Plaine.

There were about 90 students and 60-70 community members who helped package meals.

Laila Kercheval, a senior at Montezuma, came up with the idea to host a conference-wide FCA event.

Kercheval said that, early in the basketball season, she was talking with Shiressa Wetering, a junior on the Bravettes basketball team, about doing an FCA conference-wide event.

“We took the idea to Sara Erselius, who oversees the FCA chapter at Montezuma High School,” Kercheval said. “In the early going, there was some uncertainty how it would all come together.”

That’s when Shiressa’s mother, Shiloh Wetering, suggested Meals from the Heartland, a Des Moines-based organization where volunteers at events across the state package meals in an effort to feed hungry children.

“She (Shiloh) helped me a ton in the leadership of pulling this all together,” said Erselius.

Shiloh worked on all the meal packaging specifics such as cost, quantity and where the meals would be sent.

Once a date was set, Kercheval and members of the Montezuma FCA chapter began getting the word out to other schools in the SICL Conference and fundraising.

Kercheval said they raised more than $7,000, including a $5,000 donation from a church in Pella.

“Our goal was to draw in as many athletes and coaches as we could to serve together and then spend time in fellowship and worship,” said Erselius. “I think we accomplished both of those goals.”

The group chose to package the domestic meal, which means the majority of meals are staying in the state of Iowa, or local Midwestern states.

Meals from the Heartland would donate 4,000 meals back to the food pantries of the local schools that also participated.

The event included two packaging seasons. The first hour was student athletes and coaches and, after a short break, the final hour of meal packaging was done by adults and community members.

While the adults were packing meals, the students gathered in the Montezuma Auditorium for what is known as an FCA Huddle. The students sang worship songs led by a band made up of members of multiple schools, listened to messages and testimonials by Kercheval and students from two other schools, played games, enjoyed pizza and socialized.

“A lot of students were talking afterwards about how they felt free,” said Kercheval of the event. “God was moving and it makes my heart so happy.”

Kevin Gartman, business teacher at Montezuma and FCA sponsor, said for a first-time event led by small town kids and coaches, we were able to do some big-time things.

“Not only were we able to work and give back to others, but were able to bring school communities closer that often only get together when competing against each other,” said Gartman.

“For us to come together for a common purpose and way to grow spiritually, I know many students and adults alike left feeling that their hearts were full that day.

“I also heard students sharing while exiting the doors that they were looking for ways to grow their FCA chapter, as well as start a FCA chapter in one district that doesn't currently have one.”

“It was a wonderful thing to see our young people come up with the great idea of pulling together students and student athletes from across the South Iowa Cedar League to worship and work together,” said Liesl Roorda, a Montezuma Elementary teacher and FCA supporter.

“They helped organize and work to not only share what God is doing in their lives and the lives of others in our conference but also reach out and serve thousands of people by participating in meal preparation through Meals of the Heartland.

“So many people, churches and businesses from the area partnered to raise funds, organize, work, and participate in this wonderful event.”

“The FCA event was a work of God,” said Montezuma senior Izzy Roorda. “It went so smooth throughout the whole event and everyone was so dedicated to what they were doing. It was truly an honor to be a part of something so moving.”

“If this event could help to set the stage for a chain reaction for a FCA chapter in other schools, it doesn't matter how many meals we packed, we would have a major success,” said Gartman.

“For us to be able to do both at the same time, I couldn't be more proud of the collective group that came together for this event. We brought the loaves and fish, God did the rest.”