My Happy Place

Last week I got word from our friends at NTX Community Food Pantry, formerly Metro Relief, that they were low on baby formula.  

If I mom is on WIC they can get most of the necessary baby food and supplies.  But many of the families we see at the pantry aren't on WIC for various reasons.  Many of those families look the the pantry to help out.  

I made a few phone calls to several of our church friends who work at pediatrician offices and collected donations for the pantry.  The girls and I were able to deliver forty-six cases of formula to our friends!  We are beyond blessed with the generous servant hearts of our friends! 

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Luke 6:38

A Formula for Kindness

Today we got to deliver gifts to the pantry.  We have a sweet friend at church who is a pediatrician.  Every few months she give us a generous donation of  baby formula for the pantry.  And by generous I mean an entire cart full of  canisters of formula.  

Many of the guest to the pantry are set up with the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program which assists with formula and baby product. But some of our guest aren't set up with WIC yet and this formula is a huge expense to strained budgets.  

We are blessed that people can look at their areas of excess and find a way to bless others! 

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21

Baby Fuel

Our local pantry, NTX Community Food Pantry formerly Metro Relief put out the need for formula and baby food.  We were able to make a few phone calls to friends and collected eleven cases of formula.  

The pantry is able to provide food to feed families in need based on donations. Typically they distribute meat (frozen or canned), peanut butter, fresh fruits and vegetables from the Community garden, as well as formula and baby care items to guests.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Just Another Monday

Just another Monday, which means we are back at the pantry serving our neighbors in need. For years the kids and I have served at the pantry every Monday.  On Wednesdays we pick up pizzas from a nearby city.  On Thursdays we pick up breads and desserts from a local grocery store. On Fridays we pick up at the grocery store, plus the local coffee house and pizzas from another local store.  

That's just our work on week day.  On the weekends I process the paper work from the three weekly outreaches, plus the Saturday outreach.  Abigail is a big help to me in setting up the upcoming weeks flyers, volunteer paperwork and computer outreaches.  At the end of each month I complete the multiple monthly reports.  

It's consumes so much of our time, it's almost a job.  The up side is that we've done it for so many years that we have great friends that help us out.  The photo on the bottom is our friends the Baileys.  They have helped us at the pantry and with recruiting donation though Ella's Girl Scout troop.  

The cases of formula pictured came from a pediatrician friend at church who has made several similar generous donations!  Other friends from church bring in monthly donations, many friends have come to volunteer their time with us.  Our great supportive friends, and knowing how much of a difference we are making have made that time worth while. 

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.  1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Doing Good

It's Monday morning so we are back to work at our local food pantry.  We put out the call today for food donations and our community responded.  

Abigail went to work helping unload cars with donations and Frankie worked inside marking bar codes and circling food expiration dates.  

Some of the things we go through the most are spaghetti sauce, canned mixed veggies, canned spinach, canned potatoes, soup, mac & cheese, dried beans, canned pasta, and toiletries.  

Most food pantries can do the most good with cash donations because for $20 they can purchase food from local food banks at a dramatically reduced price.  In fact the cost of purchasing food from a food bank can be about one fifth of the sale price at the grocery store!  So with a monetary donation food pantries can purchase five times the amount of food for the same dollar value!  Just something to keep in mind, when you're wanting to help out!   

You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers.  Deuteronomy 6:18

A Good Day's Work

It was a good day at the pantry today!  We had quite a few donations come in from church friends.  

One of the elderly guests who has a disabled spouse.  Their washing machine is broken and beyond repair.  I asked friends at church if anyone had an extra washer for this family.  Friends of ours came through with in just a few hours! 

Jon and Caleb were able to pick up the washer and dryer, deliver and install it for the family!  

Next we have guests who are expecting but were in need of infant car seats.  Again I asked my church friends and a nurse at NICU came through with three car seats! 

That's a good day serving with the family and friends! 

In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. I Timothy 5:25

Harvest Food Program Pick-Ups

The boy slipped back into our normal routine of food pick-up for the Harvest Food Program benefiting the food pantry.  I guess after so many years of doing the same thing every week it's easy to step back into that routine.  

It was great to have his help today because we had three full baskets of breads and desserts donated from our first stop, Tom Thumb.  We went on to pick up almost fifty pastries from Starbucks.  Next were our two stops at area Papa John's pizzerias.  

That make for a lot of loading and unloading and it's much easier with an extra set of hands!  Plus it just makes me smile to see him hanging out with us! 

In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:15

Family Business

The boy is home but it doesn't mean he gets to sleep in.  He knows on Monday morning we arrive at the food pantry at eight to begin setting up.  So he set his alarm and showered and down stairs ready to leave with us this morning.  

In April our volunteers helped distribute food to 447 families, representing 1,783 individuals in North Texas. Many of these families are seniors on fixed income in our community and single parents living in The Colony, Little Elm & Lewisville.

In April we served 25 first time families including 2 families in crisis. Our volunteers assisted 80 guests with job leads; but more importantly we were able to pray with 96% of the guests who came through our doors offering hope!

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Proverbs 14:31

Thank You for Your Donations

The food pantry where our family volunteers serves 130-150 families per week.  That can represent meals for almost 160 individuals each week. In the last couple of weeks I've sent out the call to friends for food donations.  Everyone came through in a big way and today Frankie, Abigail, Gracie, Ella and Tessa began sorting through the donations.  

They went through the cans marking the expiration dates and marking through UPC codes.  Each can is then sorted and stocked on our shelves.  Thanks to everyone for your donations, these things we do . . . .

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Psalm 107:9

My Hero

It's a great day at Metro Relief today!  Mr. Arvid returned following his cataract surgery last week AND Mr. Jerry was back!  Mr. Jerry has been sick for several months but today he got his home health nurse to bring him to the pantry so he could volunteer.  Using his walker this wonderful 92 year old man helped our guest shop for groceries!! I want to be Mr. Jerry when I grow up!    

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is obtained by following a righteous path. Proverbs 16:31

Just Ask . . .

The pantry our family volunteers at serves about 150 families per week.  Much of the food we hand out is purchased from North Texas Food Bank.  But we can only purchase what has been donated.  Yes, food pantries buy the food that was donated to NTFB, but it is purchased at a considerably reduced rate and is a fee to cover NTFB warehousing and delivering the food to the pantries. 

When NTFB doesn't have the food the pantry is needing we then rely on outside donations. I sent out a message to friends and family that we were running low and these pictures are the results!  This is just for this week.  My mom sent money for breakfast items; several church friends stopped by with pasta and sauce; another friend donated toothpaste and deodorant; and a pediatrician friend at church donated baby formula!

It such a blessing!  Our softball schedule has seriously interfered with our time with the pantry guests but I'm thrilled we've been a small part in helping out with the needs of others. Thanks to everyone for your generosity! 

Whoever gives to the poor will not want,

    but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

Proverbs 28:27

Supply for Every Need

Requests for food at the pantry are always high over Spring Break primarily because the kids are out of school and parents are having to provide more meals during the week. 

Today, right on cue God made sure there was a surplus of food donations waiting for us today!  At Tom Thumb we collected over $600 worth of breads and desserts.  

Everyone of our pick ups today had above and beyond their regular donation amounts of food.  

You shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Deuteronomy 15:8

Monday Ministry

Just another Monday hanging out with our friends at Metro Relief.  Today we had a full crew of home schooling friends including Gracie, Ella and Tessa.  Frankie, Ella, and Tessa worked behind the scenes stocking shelves.  Gracie and Abigail worked up front helping the guests shop.  Robin and I worked with Mr. Don doing intake.  

After a busy morning of serving fifty plus families we enjoyed a nice lunch together at Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers.   

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

Mondays at Metro

Monday morning means we are back at the food pantry hang out with our crew.  Metro Relief had a need for food for the upcoming Spring Break and I sent out a request on my Facebook page.  Many of our friends brought in food and in fact after the picture in the upper right hand corner was taken, three more friends from church drove out to Metro to bring us more donations. 

After we closed up the pantry at noon the volunteers headed out to lunch for burgers.  

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  Revelation 3:20

Serving Smiles

I must say that doing volunteer work is a lot more fun when you're hanging out with friends!  Plus the work goes much faster.  The Baileys and the Doans joined our Metro Relief family today.  

I put Gracie and Abigail to work checking in the guests and completing paper work.  Meanwhile, Ella, Tessa and Frankie worked behind the scenes dating and sorting foods.  Frankie was put in charge of packaging up  cookies, I'm thinking that's like putting the fox guarding the hen house.  

Ms. Robin and I worked in Intake, offering needed services to our guests. We finished up the day serving 44 families in three hours.  

If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother  Deuteronomy 15:7

A Time to Serve

On the second day of the new year, you will find us at the same place we are every Monday, at Metro Relief's food pantry. 

It's been great to have Caleb home and serving along side the rest of our family.  Our guests were glad to see him and offered lots of advise for his return to school.  One of our guests was playing around and told Caleb where to find the best bars in Lubbock.  Caleb responded that he's a Biblical Text major and the gentleman retorted, 'oh, so you've already found them!'  

Our little deaf lady came into today also with a special Christmas card for Caleb. It was very sweet.  Some of our elderly guests have been at the pantry for several years and have watched Caleb grow up, so they are always excited when he returns. Me too! 

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

Pantry, Prayers and Pizza

The Bailey's joined us at Metro Relief again today!  It makes the work a little easier when you've got friends helping out.  Ella and Robin helped Frankie sort the food donations and checking for expiration dates.  

Gracie worked with Mr. Arvid shopping our guests.  Later she worked with Abigail getting welcome packets ready for the new year.  

Caleb took his usual spot in Intake offering services and praying with our guests.  Ms. Barbara came in today and she was so thrilled to see Caleb.  Barbara is deaf and Caleb knows just enough ASL to communicate. They were able to visit about Caleb's schooling and Barbara's recent visit to see her son. 

When our work was done we headed over to Blaze Pizza for a well earned lunch! 

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:11-12

Monday's at Metro Relief

The weather is starting to get colder in North Texas which means the lines at Metro Relief's food pantry are getting longer.  Many of the guests who come through have seasonal employment and when the weather becomes too cold they can't work outside. 

Today was another day of over 50 families coming through our door for food.  Our pantry relies solely on donations some from individuals and some from corporate sponsors.  People do donate food but often times with a cash donation we can purchase food from North Texas Food Bank and a substantial savings.  

Today our friends the Bailey's joined us.  Ms. Robin and Ella helped Frankie sort through food donations. Mr. Arvid put Gracie to work shopping customers.  Ms. Ramona and I handled intake and Abigail checked in guests.  It was a constant flow of people and we were so grateful to have friends to help out!  

Because it was such a busy morning, after the pantry Robin and the girls and I headed to Freddie's Frozen Custard for lunch, yum!  

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord,

    the deeds for which he is to be praised,

    according to all the Lord has done for us—

yes, the many good things

    he has done for Israel,

    according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

Isaiah 63:7

Driving Ms. Abigail

Our Friday food pick ups took on a new level of excitement today, with Abigail driving!  She did a great job driving us to the Tom Thumb in Frisco, the Starbucks in The Colony, the Papa John's in The Colony, and the Papa John's in Plano. 

We picked up quite a few pizzas, breads and desserts for Monday's pantry.  Our pantry is still low on canned goods, breakfast items and soup but donations should start coming in next week.   The breads and desserts are great additions to our guest but they are a far cry from the nutritional needs of our guests.  

For he satisfies the longing soul,

    and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Psalm 107:9

Enjoying Some Down Time

Monday's mean were at Metro Relief working in the food pantry.  This is the time of year when the food donations are probably at there lowest.  There isn't much food to sort or pack, so I took advantage of the down time and shot some pictures for our next Metro Relief newsletter.

The good news is that in two weeks food donations will start pouring in from the schools.  Many of the local elementary schools conduct food donations in time for the holidays.  So we have avoided ordering food to allow us to clear the shelves and prepare for the incoming donations.  

Most food pantry shelves are at the fullest from Thanksgiving though mid-February.  Many people are conscious of doing good and donating to the poor during this time of year.  Those big donations have a big impact on the operations of most food pantries.  

So while today, we didn't have much to do except clean up in anticipation of the coming donations, we did enjoy the down time with our sweet friends.  

 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.  Luke 6:38