New Journey Lutheran Church is supporting the Heat Respite program this summer at Grace Lutheran Church in Phoenix.

Grace opens its parish hall to homeless men and women from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The church provides a cool and safe place to eat, sleep and rest out of the summer heat.

New Journey members and friends prepare 200 sack lunches on each of three different dates: June 19, July 24 and Aug. 13.

The need for high protein, nutritious food is essential, so each lunch bag contains a ham and cheese sandwich on multi-grain bread, a bag of chips, a snack bag of fresh vegetables, fruit snacks and cookies.

New Journey members who assist in serving lunch and visiting participants deliver the lunches to Grace. Thrivent Financial Services provided a $250 grant to support the ministry.

During a two-week period in the summer of 2005, a significant heat wave resulted in the death of more than 30 people. The Heat Respite’s goal is to prevent heat-related deaths among the homeless in Phoenix.

This is the eighth year that New Journey has participated in the program.

Community members are invited to participate in making lunches in July and August. Contact Pastor Adele Resmer at 480-383-9193 for more information.