In early May for the last several years, my church has participated in a food collection for the Salvation Army Food Banks of Greater Philadelphia.
We'll be knocking on doors in our neighborhoods this Saturday, May 8th and handing out a brown paper bag to be filled with staples like canned vegetables, rice, pasta, tuna fish, etc.
Like everything else in the country, times are tough on Food Banks. The less people have, the less they can give.
Two years ago as my husband and I were talking to neighbors and handing out the collection bags, a woman who lives one street over told us she would like to donate, but just had enough for her and her daughter to get by on. Ours is a typical middle class American neighborhood, no McMansions, mostly 3 bedroom Dutch Colonials; we were touched by her need.
I addressed the deacons of our church who pulled together and bought her a gift card from a local grocery store which we delivered to her the next week. The little girl's hand was shaking when she took the gift card from me. It was grassroots support at it's finest.
The response that jumps to mind from several neighbors was, "You know I wanted to do something to help those less fortunate then me, but I didn't know where to start."
So here we go again this year with hearts and hands reaching out to fill the Greater Philadelphia Salvation Army Food Bank.
You know even when I get real down on life, it lifts my spirit to extend a hand to someone in need.
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