New Journey Lutheran Church was busy this summer supporting the Heat Respite program 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, to provide a cool and safe place to eat, sleep and rest out of the summer heat.

Thirty-four church members and friends prepared 200 sack lunches on each of three different Sundays in July and August, said Pastor Adele Resmer.

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

The sack lunches are prepared after the Sunday worship and delivered to Grace Monday by New Journey members who assist in serving lunch and visiting with program participants.

During two weeks in the summer of 2005, more than 30 individuals died from heat issues. This past summer has also resulted in an increased number of homeless deaths.

This is the sixth year that New Journey Church has participated in the Heat Respite program to prevent heat-related deaths among the homeless population in Phoenix.