This week Michelle Obama and I had something in common: we both distributed food to the needy. I hope Michelle’s example inspires many others; food banks and soup kitchens can use the help.
Food distribution in New Braunfels is coordinated through an ecumenical effort called SOS (Spirit of Sharing). Though the organization has its own governing board and volunteer leadership, the effort was the result of area churches agreeing to work together to address issues of hunger over 20 years ago. Judging from what I saw on Wednesday, not only does SOS meet needs, but it also enjoys a broad base of support.
Each church in town has a date during the month that volunteers from that church run the food bank. On Wednesday there were about 10 of us from St. John’s performing all the various tasks—filling bags, stocking shelves, processing clients, and accepting donations. The latter aspect—accepting donations—is worth a special note. Late in the afternoon the doorbell at the rear of the building rang and we found that it was a truck full of food donations. The source? The New Braunfels Public Library! It seems the library has a policy that patrons can substitute canned goods for fines for overdue library books, and a truck from the library unloaded several hundred pounds of canned goods for distribution to those who needed it.
The clients were young and old, families and singles, Anglos and Hispanics. All were treated with respect, and all that I met expressed gratitude for what they received. SOS also has a shelf of Bibles in the waiting room with a sign “Free—Take One.” Obviously, SOS is committed to feeding both the body and the soul.
Food distribution in New Braunfels is coordinated through an ecumenical effort called SOS (Spirit of Sharing). Though the organization has its own governing board and volunteer leadership, the effort was the result of area churches agreeing to work together to address issues of hunger over 20 years ago. Judging from what I saw on Wednesday, not only does SOS meet needs, but it also enjoys a broad base of support.
Each church in town has a date during the month that volunteers from that church run the food bank. On Wednesday there were about 10 of us from St. John’s performing all the various tasks—filling bags, stocking shelves, processing clients, and accepting donations. The latter aspect—accepting donations—is worth a special note. Late in the afternoon the doorbell at the rear of the building rang and we found that it was a truck full of food donations. The source? The New Braunfels Public Library! It seems the library has a policy that patrons can substitute canned goods for fines for overdue library books, and a truck from the library unloaded several hundred pounds of canned goods for distribution to those who needed it.
The clients were young and old, families and singles, Anglos and Hispanics. All were treated with respect, and all that I met expressed gratitude for what they received. SOS also has a shelf of Bibles in the waiting room with a sign “Free—Take One.” Obviously, SOS is committed to feeding both the body and the soul.
1 comment:
Now more than ever!
Post a Comment