This month AR members were invited by Dr. Paul McDonald and Kathleen Daniels to take part in a challenge called Acts of Kindness | Sharing Love & Joy This Holiday Season. This is one of my contributions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the 30th year that a former co-agent of ours, Bob Teta, has helped feed those in need along with the help of others connected to his church community, in Delaware County, PA.
It all began years ago after he lost three members of his family in a very short period of time. Being the kind person that he is, shortly after that horrid reality, he and his wife were approached by a needy person on the street asking for money, which they gave him. This person’s response to their generosity was, thank you, and he said this will go towards food and that there are many of us in need of food on the streets.
Somehow that comment went straight to Bob’s heart and the idea was born to help those who need help with getting fed on Thanksgiving Day, by providing a full cooked meal with all the trimmings.
His church was willing to oblige in offering up their kitchen space and members of his church were eager to help. Over time the demand/need to help others grew. Volunteers and donations are needed every step of the way, from donations of turkeys, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc. Then there is the work needed to cook the turkeys and the need to put the care packages together and then delivery, if meals are not picked up on location.
I do not know the numbers of people who have been helped, probably thousands by now, but I do know that Bob, his wife, his extended family and friends have been helping as best they can all these years. Covid changed how things are done, but it may be a good thing, since they now have the use of ovens at local eateries.
Bob is a gentle soul, his heart was broken severely all those years ago, but the words of a person in need on the street put a spark back in his heart, to do good in the name of his lost loved ones. And this shows me that when one is so open to the power of love, even when it feels it is lost, love will continue to find ways to flow, and in this case in a very big way, by helping others in need in the form of providing warm holiday meals. Way to go Bob.
Link to Bob’s Church in Glenolden PA
Comments(5)