Sharing a Meal, Sharing Hope

St. Matthew's at Brookside

drew-taylor-jFu2L04tMBc-unsplash

One of St. Matthew’s longest-running outreach efforts is the Provide-A-Meal Program we participate in with the Brookside Cluster of Churches. This collaborative effort allows us to consistently serve our community and address the critical issue of food insecurity. Our next service is on March 23, and we invite everyone to participate.

Brookside Meal Ministry serves a vital role in our community, providing nourishing meals and a sense of belonging to individuals and families facing food insecurity. It’s a place where a simple meal can make a significant difference, offering not just sustenance, but also a moment of connection and support.  We believe in the power of shared meals to build bridges and foster understanding. It’s a tangible way to live out our faith and demonstrate love and compassion. We need folks to cook chicken ahead of the meal, prep meal on site, serve and clean up.  We are also collecting pantry items such as:box cereal, peanut butter, Jelly, Tuna Fish, Breakfast Bars, Soup and canned fruit.

Meal will be prepared and served at Pearl Road United Methodist Church 4200 Pearl Road Cleveland 44109 –  3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

This month, we’ll be preparing Asian Chicken. This recipe is always a crowd-pleaser!  Please make ahead and bring to Brookside, or bring to church the morning of March 23.

Asian Chicken Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • Optional: vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or peppers

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
  2. In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
  3. Add the chicken to the soy sauce mixture and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  4. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  5. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until browned.
  6. Add the cornstarch slurry to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens.
  7. If desired, add your choice of vegetables and cook until tender.
  8. Serve hot with rice.

We encourage everyone in the Brecksville community to join us in supporting the Brookside Meal Ministry. Whether you volunteer your time, donate supplies, or simply spread the word, your contribution can make a real difference. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve, and we look forward to sharing a meal and a moment with our neighbors on March 23rd.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *