Upcoming Events
MIDWEST FOOD BANK
No joy can equal the joy of serving others. -Sai Baba
Saturday, May 19 2018
10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m
Sign up in the Narthex
Five years ago this last December Joanna Mihay had a concern and a vision for providing Manual students with nutritious food items during the Christmas holidays. That month Joanna and other Pleasant Run volunteers gathered in the Fellowship Hall and completed filling approximately 300 food bags for Manual students. Joanna loaded the bags into her car and made the delivery just as school was dismissing students for the holidays. Every December since the first effort to alleviate food needs over break, Joanna has been the leader in the purchase of food items for Manual and Emma Donnan as well. This year Jim Brown aided Joanna in purchasing food items, which now have increased over 300% from that first effort five years ago. This year over 16,000 food items were purchased and consolidated into 1,300 snack packs. Pleasant Run volunteers were aided by staff from both schools as well as students from Emma Donnan who cheerfully joined the group and provided much needed assistance to the older Pleasant Run volunteers. This effort was made possible by multiple financial contributions from our congregation, as well as Garfield Baptist Church, and several community businesses. This is truly a joint effort in faith and finances!
Also, five years ago our volunteers were asked to help serve a teachers’ breakfast at Manual. This breakfast was catered at the school and paid for by the teachers. Since that time our church has invited the staff at both schools to a breakfast that we host in appreciation for their work with the students in our neighborhood. That has continued for the last four years. Besides a hearty breakfast, Marilyn Monroe has taken the initative to create favors and table decorations, adding to the festive occasion. Feedback from the both teachers and administration reflects much appreciation for this event.
Providing school uniforms for students in need also continues to be a part of our mission outreach at both schools. The shirts have to be ordered through the school because of the logo requirement, so we have contributed money. The required pants in black and tan as part of the dress code can be purchased at various thrift stores, and Marlene Lang, our super shopper, is always on the lookout for bargains. Toiletry kits for needy students have been in high demand in 2015. Eileen Brown with the assistance of Terri Gerdt have lead the effort to gather hygiene for social workers to distribute to students who need these. Our knitters have given scarves to them also for the wintry days.
As is evident, all of our local mission outreach in volunteers, money, and 100 plus man hours in time/effort, and prayer have helped to improve the lives of others at both Manual and Emma Donnan. Also important is the individual growth and satisfaction received from being a part of something we believe Christ would approve as we seek to “Love our neighbor.” We don’t know what is in store for 2016, but we can, however, anticipate the joy and opportunity to grow and serve our community.
Bob Lindemann
