Al's Outreach Outtakes

Thursday is the day I try to get caught up on all of the paperwork associated with the Outreach Ministry, including writing my articles. That is the day when things should be a little quieter since we are not serving any clients that day. While the Thursday crew is working hard to put away the 6,000+ delivery we receive from the Oregon Food Bank that day, I find I can help best by just staying out of their way!
 
Getting in at 7:30am last Thursday, I was looking forward to clearing the paperwork pile that was sitting on my desk. Before doing so, I decided to clear the two different voice mail boxes that we have. With about a dozen messages waiting it took awhile. Each was someone in need of some sort of assistance. Returning the calls and doing what we could, I was ready to start this article when someone came to the front door of the Food Closet. I immediately recognized his face as someone we had helped several months ago. I asked how we might help.
 
Humbly, and almost apologetically, he shared that he, his wife and three kids were still living in their car. While it is a roof over their head, it leaks in a few places. As a result the blankets that they use had gotten a little damp and now the inside of the car was starting to fog up from the moisture. With the colder temperatures it’s getting more difficult to try and sleep or stay warm. He wanted to know if perhaps we knew of a place that he could launder his blankets and clothes as none of those were clean any longer either. Having recently lost his job, they were also almost out of gas. He wanted to know if there was anything we could do to help.
 
Because of your generosity I was able to provide a gas card and even a little laundry money. When I asked if they could use some food he gladly accepted. Fortunately that morning we had received new warming blankets from the Food Bank, so we supplied him with a few of those. While talking he shared with me that his family is next on the list for Family Promise of Beaverton; something they are really looking forward to. Please say a little prayer for this family that they are soon able to get into the program and thank you for all that you do!