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"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." — 1 Peter 5:7 |
When you visit the IM Center on a Monday night, you will find the parking lot full of cars and the meeting hall full of families enjoying plenty of home-cooked food. Single Parents Family Dinner is a main event at Intervention Ministries. Each Monday evening (that Bolivar schools are in session) from 5:30 to 6:30, single parents are invited to bring their children and enjoy a complementary meal. But much more is offered at the Single Parents Family Dinner than just delicious food.
Hassle-free dinning
As the families arrive, they are greeted at the door and seated at a table together. Then, much as in dining out, a server brings the evening menu and attends to the family's entire meal service. The dedicated chefs have a strict "No Mixes!" policy, so each meal is prepared from scratch. Whether it's pot roast or roasted turkey or "McDonald Night," every meal is AAA approved! SPFD means no meal to cook, no table to clear, and no dishes to wash on Monday night! It is evident that everyone enjoys this hassle free meal after a hard day at work or school.
After meal activities
Some families must eat and run, but others linger longer.
When the children have eaten, a host of college-age volunteers stand ready to participate with them in a variety of activities ranging from table games, computer lab, four square, dodge ball, crafts, puzzles, and coloring books. When the weather is suitable, the older children can go outside for soccer, volleyball or kickball. Parents can choose to sit back with coffee or tea while enjoying some adult conversation.
Reasons for coming
The children who attend each week vary in age from infants to teenagers. Mothers often say that their children being around positive male role models is one of the main benefits in attending. Fathers appreciate a night without having to cook. But when the parents are asked about their personal reasons for joining in the Single Parents Family Dinner, the main reason mentioned is the relationships they experience. Since the parents at the dinner have lost a spouse either through death or divorce, they find it helpful to spend time with others in similar situations. They can help one another and share in the healing process together. One mother of four mentioned how helpful it was to come during her transition time after the divorce. She said her family needed some time to get their feet back under them. A weekly time to "let down" and be served by a caring person is helpful.
After-dinner meeting once a month
Once a month, after dinner, the parents have the choice of staying for a group meeting. The IM Center gives a complementary magazine to the parents published by Focus on the Family. The magazine of the month is passed out at dinner the week before each group meeting. This gives the parents an opportunity to preview the articles they would like to discuss the following week. Focus on the Family's magazines: Club House for young children, Brio for girls and Breakaway for boys are also made available to the youth.
Something for everyone
The lively and inviting atmosphere of the Single Parents Family Dinner is created by a large staff of dedicated volunteers who weekly look forward to serving the special needs of single parent families.
Special Events
Sometimes we have special events in conjunction with the Single Parents Family Dinner. Click here to view photos of the Health Fair held February 26, 2001.
Related Links —
Single Parent Mom Virginia Crenshaw says —
 The IM Center has helped me so much the last couple of years I have been attending. The fellowship we have is awesome. When there is a need in your life, there is always someone there to pray with you and lend an ear when you need to talk things out. I thank everyone who has a part in putting the dinners together and serving. You are all a blessing to me and my three children. Thank you and May God Bless each and every one of you!
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Children's Coordinator, Beth Williamson says —
Too often, in our society, children are treated as lesser people. I have been blessed to see the relationships that have been formed between so many children and adults. Every time I see a child run and hug an adult friend or watch them laugh together as they color or play a game, my heart swells with the impact this is making. Relationships are being formed that change lives.
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