Heat Respite Wrap-Up: Feedback Opportunity for 2027 Grant

The Northeast Valley Consortium 2026 heat respite project wraps up September 21st, with four of five NEVC churches (Christ the Lord, New Covenant, New Journey, Peace in the Desert) joining together for a third year to expand New Journey’s tradition (since at least 2012) of three summer lunch packs to seventeen! That means more than 3400 lunches, at least 5 pallets of water, and accompanying electrolyte powder have been provided this year to Arizona Faith Network heat respite sites at First Church UCC, Grace Lutheran, and Wesley UMC over the June-to-September heat season. (Living Water Lutheran chose this year to forego lunch packs in favor of a significant fundraising campaign for Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center in Cave Creek, which has moved to a larger location and expanded its range of services to support individuals, families, children, and seniors in communities from Hwy. 101 north to Anthem, Black Canyon, and Mayer.)

Meanwhile, the Grand Canyon Synod grant application deadline for 2027 is a month earlier than in past years, September 25. (We use this process also to re-apply for Ascension hunger grant funds.) Please offer your input toward next year (feedback forms on the welcome table at church or send comments to cindi@njlc-fh.org):

1.      Should New Journey continue to participate in heat respite lunch packing?

2.      Is 5 packs still feasible for our members? Would you prefer 4 or 3?

3.      Do you prefer Sunday after-worship packing or Monday morning packs?

4.      Would you like to help lead this project going forward? (organizing? purchasing? set-up? delivery?)