Al's Outreach Outtakes

Over the course of the last few weeks a couple of interactions have occurred that tends to remind me why this Ministry is here. I hope it helps you too.
 
In one case we had received a call from someone in need of food assistance. She and her kids had nothing to eat and she wanted to know if we could help. I let he know we would be happy to take care of them. Turns out she was confined to her bed due to her high-risk pregnancy. She was on strict bed-rest orders from the doctor. No problem. There are two other pantries in the area that provide deliveries, all she needed to do was to schedule one. Turns out she had already done that but no food would be delivered until the following Monday, three days from then. They had nothing in the house and no way of getting anything as the spouse was out of town. After getting her phone number I talked with several of the volunteers to see if anyone lived in the general area who would be willing to take food to her. While no one lived nearby, one of our awesome volunteer couples said they would be happy to make the delivery. We shopped for them and they were on their way. Later that day the volunteers contacted me to let me know the mom and kids were so appreciative. Mom was in tears over the fact that these two had taken the extra step to make certain food was in her house for them to eat. The volunteers shared that it was a very moving and humbling experience for them as well.
 
The following week we had a very late arrival come to the Food Closet. A young mom and her two children were in desperate need of food. The volunteers welcomed her in and put her at ease. The kids played in the waiting room while mom shopped. After she was finished one of the volunteers quietly told me they were living in a shelter. I introduced myself and asked if she needed anything. “No, we are fine” came the quiet reply. I stated that I understood she was living in a shelter and asked “Which one?” “Monika’s House. Are you familiar with it?” Knowing that it is a place for victims of domestic violence I told her that I was familiar and asked again if she needed anything. After being told no again I then asked if she had a car. “Yes, for the next couple of months until I have to give it back”, she said. I asked her to wait and got her one of the gas cards you all so generously donated from the Giving Tree. “You have no idea how this makes me feel knowing that someone cares about me” she replied. “Total strangers who care. You make me feel so much better about myself.”
 
Thank you all for helping MAKE A DIFFERENCE!