Masks for Mary’s Meals

Staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic hasn't stopped our amazing volunteers from finding ways to serve locally and to raise funds for our international life-saving work.

Volunteer Raylene from Fredericton, New Brunswick had been pondering how she could best use her talents for the benefit of children who need Mary's Meals. Back in March, she had purchased several meters of fabric and was planning to make aprons for Mary’s Meals. At the time she wasn't exactly sure how they were going to be used, but she was hoping to use them in some way to raise money for Mary's Meals, and create awareness of our work in her small group of friends and family.

Like everyone else, however, when the pandemic hit, her plans for this special project were put on hold and she was feeling disappointed.

More recently, Raylene discovered that there was a great need for masks, and many people were busy trying to fill this need by making cloth masks. She remembered the fabric she had purchased for the aprons, and other fabric she had lying around. So she decided to make masks for her family. A friend, Susan, saw them and asked if Raylene could make some for workers in a special care home in Nova Scotia.

Of course, Raylene's response was “I’d love to!”  Says Raylene: "There is a need to feel useful in the time of great sadness."

Raylene tells the rest of the story:

"Susan told me the management would like to pay me for the masks. I was more than happy to donate them. It’s such a small thing to do and a blessing to be of service.

"So they asked if I had a charity they could donate to. Wow! Yes I do!  I gave them the information about Mary’s Meals.

"It seems to me the Lord had another idea when I was buying that fabric. It’s a good example of us taking a small step, not knowing which direction it will take us, then God revealing to us His will (which is often different from our plans).

"My sister-in-law would like masks for her family. I’m sending some to her this week. She also wanted to pay me. I told her the story about the first batch of masks and she also wants to make a donation to Mary’s Meals!"

Thank you to Raylene, her friends, family and community for their support of Mary's Meals. This is a perfect example of what we hope to accomplish through our Little Acts of Kindness campaign. If you know of someone who could use an act of kindness, large or small, please sign up today and help feed hungry children while serving in your local community!