Live 'Generously' - Bethel pre-school kids learn about 'giving'

The Bethel Lutheran Church pre-school in Du Quoin is arguably the most respected in Southern Illinois.

On Monday, it was a life's lessons laboratory before Thanksgiving on how to "Live Generously."

The theme was carried out in the over 300 canned and boxed items that filled senior church member Marvin's Juhl car and the "Live Generously" T-shirts that kids and staff members wore during a very special morning. Children brought in 75 items on their own. The reset of the items and the shirts were purchased through a $250 Thrivent Financial grant. Thrivent is an age-old extension of the Lutheran Church that provides grant to local church projects.

Pre-school director Natalie Juhl is Marvin's granddaughter who brings learning, fun and faith into one classroom day-in and day-out.

Pastor Mark Buetow, Natalie and instructor Nadine Wilson hosted the morning which featured special guest Doris Rottschalk of the Du Quoin Food Pantry.

It was both a celebratory andsobering experience as she talked about the great work of the community in supporting the food pantry, but it also brought into clear focus the struggle of families and the need for food donations. To prepare themselves, children were read the time-honored story on hardship called "Stone Soup."

As a community we need to realize that families are hungry all year long, not just during the holidays.

Mrs. Rottschalk talked about the history of the Du Quoin Food Pantry and how it began in one room of the Du Quoin Youth Club, then evolved to a location on North Hickory Street and is currently housed in the former Illinois Department of Human Services building at 314 North Maple Street.

The building was actually a $350,000 gift from a couple who donated the beautiful facility for use as Du Quoin's food pantry.

Doris keyed on the word "generously", the clothing outlet at the pantry , the goodwill of community and the need to keep shelves stocked. "We're going to help fill them back up," said Natalie.