Streams of Mercy
In reading a recent issue of Presbyterians Today, I came across a challenging article: “Beyond a Bag of Groceries” and I share these ideas for the common good.
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 42.2 million people face hunger in the United States. Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief and food rescue organization, reports that 1 in 7 Americans are struggling with hunger, 13.1 million children live in food-insecure homes, meaning they are often forced to skip meals or eat less at meals. Their parents or guardians buy cheap, non-nutritious food, or feed their children but not themselves. 5.4 million adults over age 60 were food-insecure, about 9 percent of all seniors.”
Presbyterian churches around the country are working to creatively nourish and sustain those who struggle with food insecurity, malnourishment and poverty. Here are a few examples of the creative ways local congregations are making an impact on the hunger in their communities by going beyond traditional food pantries and community means.
The Blessing Box – At a Texas church, outdoor boxes are put up on church property with signs that read “Take What You Need” and “Bring what You Can.” The Blessing Box offers free nonperishable food items, toiletries and other essentials for those in need, and is available anytime anyone needs something. The Blessing Box is refilled several times a week, not just by members of the church, but also by those in the community.
Feeding God’s Lambs, Literally - A church in Florida feeds animals at a local farm, and in exchange, the food pantry gets fresh produce from the farm. The church’s food pantry swaps about 200-300 pounds of day-old bread for the same amount of fresh produce every week. It’s a win-win for all involved. The animals are happy to get the treat, and rather than wasting the bread, it gets used, and the food pantry gets the fresh produce to share with those in need.
Kitchen Ministry - A Washington church partnered with local food banks and schools to help feed the hungry. The church started a farmers market in cooperation with local farmers. The market runs from May through September in the church parking lot. The market sparked an interest in providing healthy food through establishing community gardens, and the church now partners with Second Harvest Food Bank, distributing food on the second Friday of every month. In addition, the church has established a kitchen ministry, offering cooking classes and a nutrition education program.
Grants from the Presbyterian Hunger Program support many of these local projects. “Relational connections, and a sense of shared commitment to meet the needs of people – there’s something very spiritual about that. It gives expression to faith in a meaningful way.”
Community Gardens, Gleaning in Fields, Blessing Boxes, Kitchen Ministries, Backpack/Hungry School Programs, Food Pantries, Week-Day Community Meals – all are ways to follow Christ’s command - ”’For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Grateful for fresh new ideas for ministry, and for those streams of mercy, never ceasing.
Elizabeth