New Journey Lutheran Church (NJLC) volunteers joined Inspiration Academy students, staff and volunteers in packing 200 heat respite lunches Tuesday, Sept. 2.

The lunches were delivered to the Arizona Faith Network (AFN) cooling site at Wesley United Methodist Church in South Phoenix. The lunch pack, which involved more than 30 students, exceeded one thousand lunches packed in New Journey’s 2025 series, with June, July and August lunches delivered to First Church UCC in Central Phoenix.

Earlier, on July 27, New Journey blessed a large carload of school supplies, including backpacks and water bottles, for “Kristin’s Closet” at Imagine East Mesa (IEM) School.

This annual project, coordinated with the staff “giving gang” at the K-8 school, provides items for students and classrooms so that all students, regardless of income, are prepared for a strong start to the new school year.

“Both Inspiration Academy and Imagine School students have joined New Journey in food packs and in preparation of summer heat respite lunches,” notes Kris Bartanen, New Journey representative to the Northeast Valley Consortium (NEVC). “We are grateful to be able to be partners for them, and with them, in demonstrating care and creating hope.”

The broader heat respite project is a joint effort among ELCA congregations of the NEVC: Ascension, Living Water and New Covenant of Scottsdale along with Christ the Lord in Carefree and NJLC.

Supported by a hunger grant from Ascension, Thrivent grants, in-kind provisions from Foothills Food Bank in Cave Creek and private donations, the NEVC churches this summer provided over 3,200 lunches; six large water pallets and accompanying electrolyte powder; as well as supplemental toiletries, cooling cloths, socks and underwear for vulnerable neighbors during the extreme heat season.

In addition, on Aug. 10, New Journey blessed 28 quilts made by its Sew Journers for delivery to Native American Connections (NAC) in Phoenix, where they are given to newly rehoused persons in NAC’s affordable units.

On Sept. 7, New Journey wrapped up summer ministries with “God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday” from which an over-flowing bin of contributions were donated to the Extended Hands Food Bank in Fountain Hills.

New Journey Lutheran Church is located at 16748 E. Parkview Ave.in Fountain Hills. For more information about New Journey Lutheran Church, visit njlc-fh.org or call 480-383-9193.