Many people in America have been  placed in desperate situations because of our  failing economy.  Even those who receive government assistance usually are scraping the bottom of the barrel by the end of the month.  When the food stamps run out, but there are still several days before you get more, what do you do?  The food banks and soup kitchens are overwhelmed with people just wanting a hot meal.

Most of us don’t give a second thought about where are next meal will come from.  If we don’t have the makings for dinner in the pantry, we just go out to eat.  Low income people don’t have that option.   They are often completely dependant of the generosity of others.

Our church in Toledo, Ohio, has a big food giveaway four times a year.  We get some things from the local food bank.  The people from our church brings lots of non perishable items.  We also purchase many things ourselves.  We try to give milk, bread and eggs to every family.  We also give out frozen meat and canned goods, breakfast foods and fresh produce.

We do not ask that they meet any financial guidelines.  They just must show a picture ID and give their address and the number of people in the family.  That dictates the amount of food given and insures that people don’t try to get more than one food package.

The people from our church take hours to set up the tables and food.  When the produce truck comes we have to sort everything to make sure nothing is spoiled or over ripe.  Most people are very gratful for whatever we give them.  We also try to have personal hygiene items and paper procucts because even if they have food stamps, they can’t get toilet paper or soap, shampoo or laundry soap.

The need is great, but we do our best to express the love of Jesus in this very practical way.