This is an archive page from a previous bus tour. Not all links may be operational. Current Nuns on the Bus information can be found at www.nunsonthebus.org.
Muskegon - Site Visit
First Congregational Church, Muskegon
By Sister Carol Coston, OP
September 27, 2014
At 8:15 am in Muskegon, MI, where the "Nuns on the
Bus" and their brightly wrapped bus spent the night, we headed out to our
first event of the day, being held at the First Congregational Church, United
Church of Christ.
When we arrived, there was already a huge line of
children, women and men waiting to eat. The brochure indicated that the
cafeteria-style meal "with no plate limit" began in February 2003
when the church realized the need for a nourishing hot meal on the weekend in
downtown Muskegon. Since then, an ecumenical group of volunteers has gathered
every Saturday morning to prepare and serve Saturday morning breakfast,
including holidays, and despite inclement weather.
This morning's meal included scrambled eggs, sausage,
oatmeal, juice, toast and rolls. The volunteers told us that in the past over
300 guests were served, but recently that number has increased. Today, 525
meals were served, a clear sign of unemployment, low income jobs, rising costs
for basic human needs.
We nuns and volunteers passed out the "I am a
Voter" pins and stickers, and side-by-side comparisons of the two MI
senatorial candidates: Gary Peters and Terry Lind Land. This nonpartisan
comparison is well researched and documented, which has been NETWORK's style
since our beginning in 1972.
As I talked to the guests waiting in line, I was aware of
diverse reactions to the pins, stickers and voter information being offered:
general enthusiasm for the stickers and pins, especially the children;
willingness to accept the "I am a Voter" cards particularly if I had
time to describe how the NETWORK staff were going to hand-deliver them to the
newly elected Senator in January 2015. However, there were several persons who
didn't want any of the materials, saying I don't vote or why bother to vote
anyway since the candidates tell you one thing to get elected and then don't do
it afterward.
After the breakfast Sr Simone and Pastor Tim talked
briefly to the volunteers and a few guests gathered in the parking lot to sign
their names on the bus.
I was impressed by the long-haul dedication of the
volunteers, as well as the obvious need being met. Child care was provided,
books were provided for adults and children to borrow, the meals were served
with respect for all. The NETWORK staff had done a good job organizing the
event and herding us "Nuns on the Bus” to get back on the bus in a timely
way.