Food Pantry Outreach

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Comment by Diane Newhouse on October 3, 2009 at 2:41pm

Linda Hardin said recently that our food pantry should be called "The Lord Will Provide." This is so true! I can't tell you how many times I've entered the pantry only to see that many of the shelves were bare and wondered how we would be able to fill any bags of food that week, but God has always provided a way to do so. Once a 3-year-old neighborhood child brought in food that he had collected in his neighborhood. Another time, a lady who had frequented the pantry came in and gave Linda a check because she wanted to return the blessings she had been given. (She still sends a check!) Then there was the time that a salesman happened to be in the building as food bags were being distributed, and he also made a contribution saying that he and his wife had just been talking about how they could help others. And these are only a few of the stories that demonstrate how God has provided. Although, I don't always succeed, I try to remember to ask, not "Will God provide?" but "How will God provide?" It happened again this morning as I was buying some food to stock up the pantry. The lady behind me asked why I was buying so much, and when I told her, she asked if she could give me some money! At the same time, a lady at the next register asked me the same question, and she also gave me some money! I thanked both women, and as I walked out with the second woman, we began talking. When she found out I was from High Pointe, she mentioned that she used to work with the Communities in School at a local elementary school and that we had helped them so much in the past. The community is getting to know us as a congregation that cares for and takes care of others. God truly does provide!

Comment by Eric Asante Obeng on August 27, 2009 at 3:50am

brothers and sisters in the Lord, they are need of food in Africa,what did the churches of christ elders are doing ? For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. matt25:36-40

Comment by Paula White on July 15, 2009 at 3:04pm

On Sunday, members of our small group collected in front of the Brookshires grocery store.(yes, it was a bit warm) I think we had awesome success. 2 grocery baskets full plus at leat $69 donated.
Once we stocked the shelves, we went back to Brookshires to use the donated money to fill out what was still be lacking in the food pantry.
Thanks to Suellen for setting up especially since she had no idea what we did last time.
Thank to Kiera for our wonderful signs.
Thanks to Tanya for making emergency copies of our fliers and suggesting we also have a cash donation jar, I think we had many more cash donations because of that.

We had 2 girls and a mom who had been to the store, went to the movies, and came back to purchase donations for us. She also inquired as to whether this was an ongoing list so she cound donate later.

Today (Wed, July 15th) We gave away 42 bags in the first hour.
I will post before and after pictures of the pantry. It goes so fast.
Paula

Comment by James Nored on May 22, 2009 at 2:00pm

Here is the link to the Christian Chronicle article on churches and benevolence

Comment by James Nored on April 22, 2009 at 3:13pm

LInda, thank you for sharing this. Praise God! Yet another answered prayer, and yet another person who graciously acknowledges God's love and providence.

Comment by Linda Hardin on April 22, 2009 at 11:08am

Another answered prayer. Ava Hernandez started coming to the Food Pantry last October and came faithfully once a week. She always had a request for prayers: financial, health, son's problems, good decisions, strength, etc. She came into the office this morning with a letter in her hand. She gave me a big ole hug and told me she had good news. Here's what she wrote in the letter. "Thank the food pantry for all your help. By the grace of God and people like you, we made it. My husband's job slowed right after Christmas. This Monday he goes back full time. Always kept the faith - never gave up. God bless you all."

Comment by James Nored on April 17, 2009 at 9:37am

Wow, that is wonderful, Linda. I am so glad for Billy. Isn't it great to hear how God is at work in people's lives, and to be able to pray for people and see him answer these prayers? Thank you for sharing this with us--and for your heart for these people!

Comment by Linda Hardin on April 16, 2009 at 1:41pm

Billy Sikes has been coming for groceries about once a week since January. He moved here from Louisiana and has been unable to find a job. We've prayed about that over the months and I always greet him with "is this the week that God has blessed you with a job?" He always smiles and says "not yet, but maybe this week". This week he came in with really good news. The McKinney School District hired him as a substitute math teacher for the remainder of this year and encouraged him to get his Texas teacher's certificate (he has a certificate in Louisiana) and they will find a permanent job for him next year. He's certified in both math and science and those are high demand teaching positions. He said he may only need to come to the pantry one or two more times until he gets his first paycheck. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for Billy and his new job.

Comment by James Nored on April 1, 2009 at 11:37am

Linda, thank you for sharing this with us. You always treat people with such love and kindness. I will put this over in the prayer group as well so that we can have others pray for her. May God continue to open these doors!

Comment by Linda Hardin on April 1, 2009 at 11:14am

Pray for Shawn. Shawn is a lady who comes in to the food pantry about once a month for groceries when her food stamps run out. She is the caregiver for her husband who doesn't have much longer to live. She's pretty well exhausted and can't go to work as long as her husband is alive. She's in the middle of what seems like a hopeless situation. Shawn dropped by the building this morning to pick up a church bulletin. I think she really came for a hug and a word of encouragement. There are so many like Shawn in the world today, without hope and hurting. The very least we can do is offer them the same love and kindness that Jesus extends to us everyday. I think she would be receptive to studying the bible with me. Please pray that I will find the right words to ask her and that through it she will find Jesus and hope for her future, both now and eternally.

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