“I say YES”…to joining the Food Pantry Team (and bringing food items!)
If you call Kerith your home and you aren’t already serving - would you join us on the journey? Over the last few months we have been spotlighting different ministry teams so you can be praying which one to join. Of course even if you’re in a team already, please do take a read of these blogs, as it’s so encouraging to hear what God is doing. You’ll also hear the vision our ministry leaders have to help people find their way back to God through communities growing in their love for God and love for people (for those newer to Kerith - that’s our vision statement as a church!) Read on to learn what it means to be part of our Community Food Pantry Team, as well as some encouraging updates and a challenge for each of us!
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40
Our Community Food Pantry has been going from strength to strength over recent months, with demand increasing - but also increasing stories of hope coming in from the team!
One of our team, Carol, wrote the below encouragment (and challenge!) for each of us;
I have been serving in our food pantry for over a year now, it has been both humbling and a privilege. I have got to know our customers and listened to their stories and I cant help being moved by them. Recently we heard another example of answered prayer - a customer came in after a big operation, much sooner than we were expecting to see him. He was upbeat and bright which was wonderful and uplifting to see. When we got chatting, even he agreed it was an answer to prayer!
When I read the words of Jesus I’m reminded of how much God loves ALL of us. In Proverbs 19:17 it says “If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you!”
It would really bless the people who use our Community Food Pantry if you could all put an extra item in your shopping basket each week, and bring it to church to place in the shopping trolley near the drinks area. It would make a huge difference if we all do that weekly and have an impact greater than we can ever really know!
I’m so grateful to Carol and all our Food Pantry volunteers for the hard work and warm welcome they give to our customers on Mondays and Thursdays, Remembering to bring in food items is something we can ALL do of course.
At our Community Food Pantry we are big on the ‘community’ part of the name - we want to offer a space at our cafe to build relationships, and to help people to feel ‘at home’ when they visit our church building during the week. If you’re available on a Monday or a Thursday between 10am & 2.30pm, could you commit to serving once a week? You don’t have to be a ‘fixer’ or have a solution to people’s situations, you just need a heart for people and to meet them where they are at. For more information and to ‘say YES!’ - please do get in touch with andy.barrett@kerith.church