Faith Christian Church proposes ‘Spread the Love’ PB&J van to deliver after-school meals in Lima

Pastor Terry Wise Hathcock and volunteers with Faith Christian Church presented "Spread the Love," a volunteer-driven program to prepare and deliver free peanut-butter-and-jelly sack meals to children in food-insecure areas of Lima.

Pastor Terry Wise Hathcock said the church learned of a similar program in Marion and adapted it for Lima. He introduced Armida (last name not specified in the record) who described program aims and logistics. Armida said the program will operate from a van resembling an ice-cream truck and will play a "peanut butter and jelly time" song as it enters neighborhoods.

The program planned to start Friday, Feb. 7. Organizers said the February trial will begin with 60 sack meals and expand to 120 per week in March if demand supports it. Each sack, organizers said, will include a drink, applesauce, a treat and a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich. Volunteers will work in prepared teams and use sandwich kits that make 60 sandwiches at a time. Organizers asked for volunteers for sandwich preparation and for a van delivery team (driver plus distributor); they said both roles require background checks.

The project is donation-driven; the group listed an Amazon wish list and a Facebook page titled "Spread the Love Free PB and J Meals" where supporters can find more information and a link to supplies. Pastor Hathcock and volunteers offered pamphlets and said they would remain after the meeting to take questions.

No formal council action was taken; the presentation was recorded as part of the meeting’s privilege of the floor.