Squeezing Lemons, Serving Christ

Summertime is filled with sunshine, camps, bike rides, backyard games—and for a special group of young children, lemonade stands with a mission.

Through the Catholic Foundation’s Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle, a heartwarming initiative known as the Children’s Chapter is shaping the next generation of philanthropists by helping them live out their Catholic faith through service and stewardship.

What began in 2024 as a grassroots idea among a group of young moms has quickly become a powerful lesson in charity, compassion, and community. These mothers, all members of the Giving Circle, sought a meaningful way to involve their children in the act of giving back and understanding empathy and service at a deeper level. “The quote from Matthew 19:14 continued to speak to us where Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ This scripture quote drove our desire to have our kids to understand that no matter how small they are, their hearts—and hands—can make a big impact,” Julie Bernard Robichaux, one mother who helped spearhead the Children’s Chapter.

The result? A simple but powerful project: kids hosting lemonade stands throughout the summer months, inviting friends and neighbors to stop by, enjoy a cold drink, and support a good cause. Every cup of lemonade served is a lesson in empathy, and every dollar raised goes directly to support the food banks of Catholic Charities—a mission chosen intentionally, because it’s easy for children to understand: their efforts are helping other kids have food on the table.

In its very first year, the Children’s Chapter raised $6,000 for Catholic Charities food banks—an incredible testament to the power of small hands doing big things. In May of 2025, several of the young participants joined the Foundation for a special check presentation, proudly handing over the fruits of their labor to help children and families facing food insecurity in our diocese.

“We knew our children could easily understand that other kids, just like them, don’t always have enough to eat. At the same time we wanted to make it easy for busy moms and families,” said Julie. “Helping them connect their efforts to helping other children made it real and our goal was to encourage moms across our community to have an easy way to get their kiddos involved. As busy moms this could not be easier to do, simply find a date, get the kids to be creative, host your day whenever and wherever, and give back.”

The Children’s Chapter is much more than fundraising; it provides meaningful opportunities for hands-on service. ‘Kids learn by doing, and we wanted our kids to learn that service to others is important in our faith. The Children’s Chapter is teaching our kids faith in action, service to others through charity,’ Julie continued. This past Lent, children and their families participated in a day of service to volunteer directly at the food banks, packing boxes, planting beans for the foodbank garden, and learning what it means to walk with those in need. These service days allow the children to see the impact of their work firsthand and to live out Christ’s call to serve “the least of these.”

The Children’s Chapter is a movement of young hearts being formed in faith, compassion, and generosity. Through lemonade stands and service projects, they are growing as disciples, learning to love as Christ loved. “I want to personally invite other families to host a lemonade stand in your neighborhood, allow your kids to be creative and give back. We made it easy for you to participate and have fun.”

As Scripture reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). This summer, if you pass by a lemonade stand hosted by one of our Children’s Chapter members—stop, sip, and know you’re supporting something greater than a refreshing drink. You’re supporting the formation of future saints.
To learn more, participate, or support the Children’s Chapter of the Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle, visit catholicfoundationsl.org.

The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana: Serving the Church. Shaping the Future.