Honoring with Heart: The Story Behind Lunches with Love

Since 1997, MA Center Michigan has been a quiet but powerful force of kindness in the community, preparing meals for the unhoused with steady dedication. Even when the world paused during the Covid-19 pandemic, this spirit of service continued—pivoting to food drop-offs with Food Gatherers, a local nonprofit committed to fighting hunger.

In 2023, something deeply personal added a new layer of meaning to this mission for Shreeja Rucker. She began a quiet tradition in honor of her father, who passed away during the pandemic. On the anniversary of his death, she lovingly purchased and assembled each lunch in the privacy of her home—every bag filled with care, intention, and remembrance. She then delivered them to Food Gatherers, creating a beautiful way to honor her father’s memory while nourishing those in need.

In 2024, she invited her art club students to join the effort by decorating the lunch bags—each one transformed into a small canvas of kindness, filled not just with food, but with color, creativity, and love.

Inspired by Shreeja’s heartfelt initiative, fellow volunteer Sundari Murthy saw an opportunity to bring the community together in service. With her encouragement, “Lunches with Love” was embraced as a group compassion project at MA Center Michigan. In January 2025, the group kicked off the year by preparing and delivering 108 ready-to-eat lunches—each bag hand-packed with nourishing items.

Volunteer Minni Kumar shared, “I enjoyed the camaraderie I felt working with others lovingly packing the items in the bag. It was restful and meditative.” That spirit of togetherness—calm yet full of purpose—spread like sunshine.

Soon after, Sai Group heard about the project and wanted to join in, seeing it as a perfect opportunity to engage their youth in meaningful service. This momentum inspired Shreeja to reach out to Omnex, a local company, and together they helped assemble and deliver an impressive 180 additional Lunches with Love in April 2025. The delivery truck was packed to the brim—with every seat, even the one next to the driver, filled with bags of care and kindness. It truly was a truckload of love on the move.

Lunches with Love is more than a meal—it’s a reminder that even in the busiest of lives, compassion can take center stage. Through teamwork, remembrance, and community spirit, this project has become a beautiful expression of compassion in action.

And it’s just the beginning.

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