Neighbors’ Thankfulness, Credit God for Timing & Circumstances
It has been a while since we gave you some updates on local “coincidences” when supply meet needs, so I thought we would share a few recent pantry stories from the volunteers. Meet Jack and Diane (not their real names) but they were as John Mellencamp sings “two American kids doing the best that they can.” We first met this couple two months ago at a drive through food pick up. A nice middle-class couple who had come upon some extremely hard times. They found out about food pick up and pantries on social media. Their first trip through the line was awkward. As it is with most families in their situation. They do not know how to act. Do I speak? Do I not make eye contact? Is it ok to ask for more chicken instead of fish? Am I supposed to even say thank you? I noticed them on their first time because they drove a very distinctive unique compact car. The second food pick up they spoke to us. They are traditional friendly midwestern folks looking for a hand up. Fast forward to the third food pick up and they jump out of the car and give hugs, no longer intimidated at the prospect of receiving help; their gratitude took over. Move to last week, the same couple joined us in volunteering serving the 160 families that picked up food. You see, Jack started his new job on the following Monday. They report that the timing of finding a food source was absolutely God’s providence. Your acts of kindness, supporting neighbors in Hamilton County bridged a gap until they were able to get back on their feet.
Meet Abby (also not her real name). Abby had been homeless for four months and had found one of the Feeding Team pantries. We met her at one of our in-office Thursday food pickups. She was so thankful for the pantry and would visit it every couple of days to get the food she needed. Besides food, she needed some basic toiletry items. Abby is telling us this story with tears in her eyes. She prayed to God asking that he send her some toilet paper and later that week she was driving and saw a second yellow pantry, she did not know that there was more than one. She stopped and when she opened the pantry door, she saw toilet paper and began sobbing out loud. Abby wasn’t worried about who might see her or what they might think. She didn’t care if anyone heard her as she thanked God for the toilet paper. When Abby talks about Feeding Team and that time in her life, she says, “Feeding Team was my lifeline, it gave me hope that things would get better. I don’t know what I would have done without it.” Abby now has a job, a home and is working with a financial advisor so she never has to be homeless again.
Meet Ruth (also not her real name). Ruth is on disability and cares for her adult son. Ruth is also a devout animal lover and learned about Feeding Team from videos that feature our mascot Mavis (a high energy 10-month-old Australian Shepherd puppy). Unfortunately, Ruth’s disability income is not enough to make ends meet, so learning about food pantries and pickups was an incredible blessing. Ruth started with the drive throughs and then occasionally the in-office food pickups. Now Ruth volunteers to help to distribute food to families that are in need.
These are typical pantry stories that we get to experience regularly. Some people believe that Hamilton County is void of hungry neighbors but telling the stories of our neighbors, who just like these three, struggled and then turned it around. You too can help others. You too can get help if you are in need. Thanks to all our pantry hosts, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and supporters.
Mark Hall is a Hamilton County Councilman and the Founder and CEO of TLX, Talent Logistix. Feeding Families outdoor Free Food pantries is the corporate charity of his company. Mark and his wife Lisa founded the food charity program the team after living with food insecurity as a young married couple with kids. They may be reached at lisa@feedingteam.org and mark@feedingteam.org or (317) 832-1123.
