Metro Relief Food Pantry

When our kids were young we began volunteering at food pantries and soup kitchens.  A decade ago that meant traveling to downtown Dallas to Brother Bill's Helping Hand or the Stewpot.  Later we found God's Food Pantry in Southeast Plano.  All were great experiences  but you do have to keep in mind the age of your kids when volunteering.  It is also important to know if the other volunteers will be escorted my armed guards and sporting orange jumpsuits. 

For the last couple of years we have worked at Minnie's Food Pantry in Plano.  It is considerably closer to our home and I really liked that we could interact with the clients.  Our family has done a variety of jobs from unloading trucks, stocking shelves, helping clients shop, etc.  We've loved every minute of it.  However, during the past school year we noticed a new pantry just a few miles from our home.  Our family agreed to complete our commitment for the school year to Minnie's and then check out Metro Relief. 

Today was our first day at Metro Relief and we brought the Gungan's along with us! It was a great experience especially because I ran into the cashier from pharmacy where I shop.  I also worked alongside a gentleman I know from my gym.  I served a lady I know from the Staples in my town.  How cool is that?!

 

Metro Relief had various jobs for us including weeding and harvesting vegetables from their community garden.  Ms. Gungan and I sorted thru five tubs of tooth brushes donated by CVS.  The kids unload the truck from the North Texas Food Bank and stocked the freezers.  There were plenty of tasks from picking up litter in the parking lot, sweeping, vacuuming, and even folding shopping bags. 

If you have always wanted to get involved in this type of work I encourage you to check out what is available in your own back yard.  I am so excited about this new opportunity and we will be back next Wednesday!

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things. 

Psalms 107:8-9