FAQ's

Great question! 

We are looking for organizations -- businesses, teams, bowling teams, you name it! -- to participate in the operation of Bowls2Go, 10:30am-1pm on Third Thursdays. We will tell you what to do and how to do it! This is a great way to make a difference, and some team bonding.

Part of our grant is specifically to connect with small- to mid-size churches who may not be able to sustain this ministry on their own, but through a collaborative effort with other churches, can put aside differences in theology and practice and serve the people of Southwest Louisville.

If you you (individually) or your church would like to participate, please reach out to Rev. Molly Shoulta Tucker, Pastor. We'd love to chat!

There are a lot of ways we can utilize volunteers! 

We believe that to effectively capture the mission and spirit of this grant, we need four volunteer teams:

1. Kitchen Prep - the most important part... the food! We have two leaders who will plan and purchase, then create a timeline for the week ahead of the Third Thursday with tasks like chopping, prepping, and preparing. 

2. Operations - help operate the event by preparing space, running quality control checks, running drive-thru procedure, etc. We need folks who can run around and be flexible. This is where one-time volunteers will find the most ease, but you're welcome to come back for more!

3. Communications - help us get the word out! We need you to share, promote, post photos, pass out flyers, and more! We are working on building relationships with area businesses, and getting the word out mainly through flyers and social media. Can't join us on a Thursday? This team might be for you. 

Determine sustainability

Is this something that may be carried on past the grant funding? Is there investment from those preparing meals, donating food, and purchasing meals? Are relationships and partnerships life-giving?

Cost assessment

Does $10/bowl feel reasonable? Do we have an ongoing plan for growing patrons, or growing profit to go towards SWCM?

Leadership structure

Are all areas being covered by volunteers or by the availability of church staff members? How does leadership remain open and inviting? How are new ideas heard, and seen through?

Both grants were to sustain this project for a calendar year. 

If in a year, or less, we don't believe that there is a sustainable model for moving forward - that is okay. By that time, if we feel like this project is sustainable and giving life to the community and the churches that are a part, we will continue with slightly differing financial means.

Here's some perspective: if 100 people purchase a meal in each of the first twelve months, that is $1,000 per month raise, or $12,000 at the end of year that goes back to SWCM. That is $12,000 that was not otherwise a part of Southwest Louisville. In the words of Sarah Langmeyer, SWCM, "I've done a whole lot more for a whole lot less!" 

A similar project to "Bowls to Go" exists in South Carolina. They are able to raise $10-12,000 monthly with a similar model. Justice & Missions leaders at Ridgewood believed this was worthy of writing a grant, and leaders in our national level saw promise in how this may develop in the future. 

We will assess as we go, as well as assess the program in its entirety at 12 months.

1. In April of 2024, Ridgewood Baptist Church received grant money from state and national denominations (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship KY and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global/CBF) totaling $6,000 to engage the ecumenical community in Southwest Louisville to collectively launch an effort to combat community financial need by supporting the existing structures within Southwest Community Ministries. Monthly, we would like to offer a simple lunch for purchase for $10; for the purposes of simplicity, consistency, branding, we would like to serve this lunch in a “bowl” to minimize preparation, cost, and waste, that may be eaten at the location of preparation/Fellowship Hall, or may be easily packed to take out. (examples of a bowl lunch may be a burrito bowl, chicken and dumplings, chili, mac and cheese bowl, etc.) With assistance from grants to facilitate PR materials, initial purchases of to-go containers, credit card reader and other technology supplies, we believe all monetary proceeds collected from the event(s) may go directly to Southwest Community Ministries. (example, if 100 bowls are sold, $1000 would go toward SWCM). Hence, “Bowls2Go” means that bowls may be taken out, but also that bowls go to an important cause. 

2. For the first calendar year, finances will be maintained as part of Ridgewood Baptist Church’s designated funds due to grant reporting requirements. Any physical supplies purchased for this effort will also be stored at Ridgewood Baptist Church. After this time, acting leadership may decide if this is the best way forward, or if another pattern or place of tracking finances and storing materials is appropriate. 

3. If, after a year, this project does not feel sustainable, we trust that the community will still have been positively impacted by the communal effort and financial contributions that have kept lights on or rent paid. 

Delivery option

If an office or shift would like to order in bulk for lunch for workers, is it possible to “deliver?” Would depend on volunteer capacity, but if this increased total, this would be worth it! May also consider “call ahead” for a bulk order if needed or necessary.

Feeding program with Jesus Mobile Outreach (JMO)

The local 501(c)3 Jesus Mobile Outreach takes meals directly to folks in our community who are unsheltered. Is there a way to account for 50 meals within the cost of food to ensure the community eats at lunch, but that meals are also then delivered to these folks? Can we do good in more than one way, together? (JMO currently relies solely on personal food or monetary donations for their Thursday meal serves.)

Sponsorships from area businesses or organizations

Not everyone is a “small- to mid-size church,” but if possible, could organizations outside of this qualifier donate money or food to offset the cost of purchase once grant money runs out? This may also require a specific volunteer to develop relationships with sponsors. This may also be a way that current supporters of SWCM could have their money invested towards a larger sum (i.e., $250 food donation, with 100 attendees, turns to a $1000 contribution).