The Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry is truly an amazing place.

 

Firstly, the children in Religious Exploration collected and sorted 68 bags of Thanksgiving foods.  The sound could not have been sweeter in Fellowship Hall that day with many hands sorting stuffing from gravy, veggies from dessert, etc.  Thanks to all who donated food to fill those bags.

 

Then some of the regular travelers went to the Worcester County Food Bank to transport 3,160 lbs. of food.  There were canned goods, dry goods, cereal, peanut butter and meat.  But most of all, there were those marvelous Thanksgiving vegetables; sweet potatoes, carrots, two kinds of squash, apples and potatoes.  This is the food that nourishes and saves the folks who visit the Pantry.

 

Next, there were at least 20 people who helped count, stack and sort those same foods in what I like to say is "organized chaos".  That they managed to do that chore in an hour and a half was a miracle in itself.

 

And then, we distributed that food to 76 families.  There were hugs all around.  We are a place where, indeed, the inherent worth and dignity of each human being is a value we uphold. 

 

But, if you haven't heard me tell it yet, there was one woman we will never forget.  She had had some teeth removed just last week and surgery performed on her wrist.  She was weak from the surgery and had only had applesauce to eat that morning.  Feeling poorly, she came to the distribution anyway because she simply needed the food we offer.  Rev. Payson attended to her medical needs, her daughter began to get her food and as she felt stronger, she began to select some of the food herself.

 

By the time she was ready to leave she gave us something we will never forget.  She began to sing "Amazing Grace".  There are no words to describe her singing.  Her singing was strong and true.  Betsy Wood and I were hugging her and crying.  It is a moment I will never forget and one for which I am profoundly grateful.  I pass it on to you this day as a reminder that what you do to support this ministry, in whatever way, is important.  This woman was profoundly grateful for what she had received.