Feeding the Hungry

As of this Monday, I've been working at a non-profit organization in one of the poorest counties in the state. Our organization feeds the hungry, clothes the clothes-less, and is there for people in poverty to buy cheap products that they may need.

This is a story that happened on Wednesday:

Yesterday, a young man, only a year older than me, came into the parish with an embarrassed but yet desperate look on his face. His crazy, curly red hair was unkept and he looked like he hadn't showered for a couple of days but I could tell that his pride was affected as he walked in through our doors for help. He didn't want to be here.

He carried with him a referral sheet that he received from social services. He went to them first and they referred him to the parish. This ministry is vital to the community. Without it, what would happen to the poor that need help?

This young man had lost his job a few weeks prior. Where was his family? Did he have friends? We don't know. We don't ask.

The policy to receive food is pretty simple here: you have to live in the county, fill out an application stating how much the household receives in income and why you need the food. That's it. After I type the data into the computer, the client receives 3 packages of almost expired meat (frozen), 5 canned goods, and a lot of almost expired bread. Its a simple process that is based on the honor system. (Do people abuse this? Yes, but that will be discussed in another blog post.)

We had enough food in the pantry to feed many more folks so we could have easily feed this man. However, it was Wednesday and according to policy, we only do the emergency food program on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

My supervisor asked him if he could come in on Thursday which was the next day.

He looked at my supervisor then looked down to the ground. He responded, "Do you guys have anything? I'm really hungry and haven't eaten for... Well... Yeah. Uh... I... I can come in tomorrow."

My supervisor saw that he was in real need and told him that although we don't usually give out food on other days, he would be an exception.

She directed the man to me and I had him fill out an application. He quietly answered the questions and waited patiently for my supervisor to retrieve the food.

In a couple of minutes she appeared with three bags of groceries, enough to last 3-5 days.

He took the bags and thanked everyone. Before he left out the door, he turned around and said, "When I get a job... I'll make sure to donate to y'all."

Thoughts:

1. Feeding the poor is not as romantic as some portray it to be. It is hard work. Some people are really difficult. I have not encountered many yet, most are actually really kind and really in need. This type of work is hard, but it is good work which gives me reason to rejoice.

2. On the flip side, feeding the poor is not as difficult as some make it out to be. A lot of people need help. Sometimes there are pushy folks but the majority really are kind and simply are in need.

3. I've been thinking a lot about what Campbell said about the "list" in Matthew 25:31-46 and I really do believe that my excuses will not do. I need to be doing these things. Maybe not all of them at one time but I definitely need to be more attuned and intentionally pursuing these things (feeding the hungry, showing hospitality to strangers, clothing the clothes-less, visiting the sick, and befriending prisoners and visiting them). I need courage to come out of my comfort zone. If you remember, please pray that I do.