It was about 30 years ago now. I was living through some very difficult times. I was a single parent raising a young son in a city where I didn’t know many people or had any family nearby. My income was so limited that by the time I paid the monthly rent and electric bill, there was not much money left for us to buy food. Near the end of the month it was even more challenging and scary, trying to make sure we had something to eat each day. But, I have a very beautiful memory from that time that still fills me with gratitude.It was November and I was talking to a neighbor who told me about a program where we could register to receive a Thanksgiving food basket. As it turns out we were able to pick up our basket just a few days before Thanksgiving. I remember waking up early that morning filled with excitement to get our basket. When we got home I sat the basket on our little kitchen counter and took stock of each item in the basket. There were many canned goods, stuffing mix, fresh potatoes, and even boxed dessert mixes as well as a gift certificate from a local grocery store for a turkey. I calculated that my little son and I would be able to get about a week’s worth of meals from the contents in that basket.
I am especially thankful this month to have the opportunity to coordinate several food drives through our church’s Food Ministry program for the Thanksgiving Holiday. For the past 12 years, through your generous contributions, we’ve helped feed many low income families in our community. Last year, we were able to distribute approximately 445 complete Thanksgiving food baskets to the low-income families.
As I see the smiles on the faces and the words of gratitude expressed by families who have received the gift baskets, I am deeply moved and transported back in time, remembering the gratitude I felt upon receiving a Thanksgiving food basket many years ago. God is good and he puts the right people in our paths at just the right time as He did for me through my neighbor and the program that provided food for me and my son.
Because, “I’ve walked a mile in the shoes” of the families we serve and have experienced the gratitude of receiving food at a much needed time, I feel extremely blessed to be able to coordinate this Thanksgiving Food Drive again this year. As you might imagine, it takes a lot of planning and many volunteers to ensure the success of this outreach.
Here is how you can get involved in our food ministry this holiday…(Brenda Blake, Director, Church & Community Work)
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