Read to Feed: ‘A gift that gives gifts’

Young readers raising money to help feed needy families

By SANDY LONG

HONESDALE, PA — They might be angling for an ark, but they’ll be happy with a heifer or two. Young readers who are members of the Sunday school class at Central United Methodist Church (CUMC) in Honesdale are devouring books in an effort to raise money to send farm animals to needy families across the globe. The program, called Read to Feed, is a project of Heifer International, which provides anything from a single chicken to an ark full of paired animals as gifts to struggling families around the world.

For nearly 60 years, the organization has helped more than four million families in 128 countries escape poverty and achieve self-reliance. And for the second year, CUMC youth group leaders Lurie and Matt Carney are coordinating the program through their church. The Carneys initiated the effort last year, raising enough money to provide one heifer, and have expanded it to include all classes within the Sunday school program.

Kiah Lynch and her brother Rowan are both participating in the project, during which they must read 20 books within two months. The children are home-schooled and reading is one of their favorite activities. Kids choose their own books, or select from offerings provided by Heifer International, which hosts a website full of resources for educators, parents and children.

Kiah and Rowan both enjoyed reading the organization’s title “Beatrice’s Goat,” which tells the story of a young girl’s receipt of a goat and its affect on her life. Such books help to raise awareness of other cultures and lifestyles. Meanwhile, the children enjoy weekly lessons about the various animals available.

The organization’s website teaches children that they have the power to be part of hopeful solutions to tough global problems. It also provides tools like a “cow-culator” which help children to calculate the reproductive capabilities of different animals. For example, one rabbit can produce up to 150 offspring within three years and gift recipients agree to give their animal’s first offspring to another needy family. “It’s a gift that gives gifts,” said Kiah.

As the weather warms up, the Lynch children look forward to helping their parents, Erin and Rob, in the garden and spending time outdoors riding their bikes and tire swings in the forms of a horse and a dragon. The children each have rabbits of their own, and while Kiah would like to see some rabbits sent out through the program, Rowan favors chickens as an animal gift. But both would like to see an ark of animals make its way to some far-off place.

To help the readers in their efforts, contributions may be sent to Central United Methodist Church, 205 Eleventh Street, Honesdale, PA 18431. Checks should be made payable to “Heifer International: Read to Feed.” Visit www.readtofeed.org or www.heifer.org for more information.