Thanksgiving Invitation 2023 - Five and Two

This Thanksgiving, Bishop Lanette Plambeck calls United Methodists of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area to live out the story of Jesus taking five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000 people. She challenges congregations, groups, and individuals to go beyond their church walls and their current ministry settings to reach those dealing with food insecurity.

“How might you reach someone facing food insecurity in ways that you currently do not reach? What might it look like for every United Methodist in the Dakotas and Minnesota to give at least $5 to two food ministries this Thanksgiving season? Now, for those who are able, You can provide more—perhaps $52 to a food ministry of your choice. However you choose to work out the math and whatever amount you’re able to give, imagine the impact we will make in our schools, our communities, and our neighborhoods” —Bishop Lanette Plambeck

Your challenge is to go beyond the walls of the church. Consider how you will reach out to an organization in your community that you currently do not work with.

Here are five ideas to live out your Five and Two story:

1. Connect with a local school. Consider providing a way to relieve school lunch debt for breakfast and lunch meals.
2. Look around your community and bless two local organizations with food and volunteers by providing 5 or 50 pounds of food or volunteer hours. You could pledge 500 volunteer hours to two entities in the next year. 
3. Set up a creative, friendly competition within your community—like a corn hole tournament, dessert auction, etc., to raise $500 for two organizations helping feed people in your community. 
   

   Scan the QR code to share your Five and Two story.

4. Hold a “Fill the Bucket” campaign in your community. Invite people to bring food items and funds and put them in a colorful, labeled bucket for a local food organization like the weekend backpack program.
5. Create an online “Give A Gift” campaign. Contact two organizations that help feed those in need and ask what items are most needed. Set up a way for people to order those items online and have them shipped directly to your selected places. You will also want an option for people to give funds online.

Prayerfully consider how you and your congregation will participate, and then let us know so we can celebrate our collective impact!
Read letter from Bishop Lanette Plambeck |  Complete Thankgiving Offering pledge form | Access resources