The Sunday after Easter has a reputation as a “low attendance” Sunday, but on April 27, 2025, people flocked to church to worship with their hands and feet. For ten years, Bridgewater UMC has partnered with Rise Against Hunger to combat food insecurity and ensure that more people have access to the resources they need to learn and grow.
“This service activity is at the heart of Bridgewater UMC,” shared Rev. Jennifer Cho, pastor of Bridgewater UMC. “This is one of the most impactful missions that we do. Everyone loves it. Everyone is excited about it.”
And when she says everyone, she means everyone. The youngest participant was a little girl named Hope, who was baptized just last year. One of the oldest was Betty Brown, who is well into her 80s. It was truly an intergenerational, all-ages event—there was something for everyone to do. Some stood and scooped rice into bags, others sat and sealed the bags, and others carefully packed the bags into boxes.
The first time they sponsored this project; they packed 5,000 meals in the fellowship hall across two shifts following the worship service. Two years ago, they moved the project into the sanctuary and completed it in a single shift as their act of worship. To date, they have packed 156,000 meals.
Ten Years of Rising Against Hunger
This mission project began ten years ago as a youth group initiative. When the original leader moved on, Don Schulz stepped in and
has led it ever since. “I’ve always had an interest in mission—and, over time, a stronger interest in the justice side. I think of Micah 6:8: ‘What does the Lord require of you?’ Addressing hunger is a key step in breaking the cycle of poverty.”
The Rise Against Hunger organization was started in the 1980s by a United Methodist minister. In addition to providing meals, the organization offers vocational training, business training, and advocacy, recognizing that hunger is a multifaceted issue. These meals go to schools and vocational training sites around the globe—because it’s hard to learn when you’re hungry.
These meals have never been more needed. With recent disruptions to USAID, which left food rotting on ships, hunger has become an even more urgent global concern. Each organization that sponsors a meal-packing event also funds the meals, which ensures stable support over time. Don Schulz noted, “We fund this ourselves—41 cents per meal. That makes us independent of the vagaries of the U.S. government. This year, we’ve raised $8,200.”
In ten years, BUMC has never failed to meet its fundraising goal—not even during COVID, when they raised money to donate directly to the organization while social distancing made in-person packing events impossible.
Lenten Focus on Love in Action
This ministry moment isn’t just a post-Easter highlight—it frames generosity for the entire Lenten season. Don Schulz encourages members to reframe their Lenten discipline: “Rather than give something up for Lent, why not give to something?”
The whole congregation participates in the fundraising effort. Pastor Jennifer speaks about generosity in her children’s sermons, and children are invited to bring in their change. Watching the kids place their pennies in the jar after worship is a particular source of joy for Schulz.
The entire event, from start to finish, is a living example of faith in action. Rev. Cho is unapologetic about replacing the traditional
worship service with an act of service: “This is worship in action. Love in action… This is our high holy worship after Easter.” Sue Walton, a member of Bridgewater UMC and faithful Rise Against Hunger participant, agrees that love is at the center: “We want to share all of our love with our more vulnerable brothers and sisters.”
As Bridgewater UMC celebrates a decade of rising against hunger, the congregation continues to live out its faith through tangible acts of love and justice. This annual event is more than a tradition—it is a testimony to what a committed community can do when compassion leads the way.