Yesterday was distribution day at Holy Cross for our annual Project Matthew. Since September we have been collecting food and money in order to provide about 130 families in need with all the groceries necessary for a traditional type Thanksgiving meal. But it is more than that. We also have a room where they can select from donated new and gently used coats, jackets, blankets, sweaters, gloves, socks, etc. as well as a room full of books for kids and teens to take home.
But Project Matthew is still even more than that. We aim to make our guests feel like welcome guests. As we get their groceries ready, they are invited to partake in freshly baked cookies that keep coming out of the kitchen as well as coffee and soft drinks. There are plenty of coloring pages and crayons for the kids and a prayer table for those who are in need of a kind ear and praying lips. There are always plenty of volunteers to sit with our guests and just chat about everything from the weather to how tough life can be. Our volunteers range from toddlers to teens to adults young and old. Our youngest help hand out pies and color with our youngest guests.
As wonderful as this ministry is, and as wonderful as our other giving ministries are (Book bag food for school kids who need food for the weekend, distributing Second Harvest food bank food, yearly Christmas angel tree, providing food and money to Christian Ministry, to name a few) I often wonder how much we really are helping. Because realistically, no matter how often we feed someone, they are going to be hungry again.
What these folks really, really need is a good education, training for decent paying jobs, good and dependable childcare and decent mental and physical healthcare. If we could provide these things to every person in our community they would no longer need us to give them food and clothes and shelter. (Why does our country not GET that??)
But Holy Cross is a small church with limited resources. There is no way possible that we can give what “the least of these” really need. I often wonder if we are really doing anything good at all. But then yesterday happened.
It was a joy to see people smiling and hearing their heartfelt thank you’s. But I learned more than that.
My 10-year-old granddaughter, Cecelia, loves to help with Project Matthew. She started out handing out pies as a toddler. Yesterday she got to interact more. She guided our guests through the various areas and helped them out to their cars with their groceries. The following was observed and related to me:
Cecelia was explaining to a woman that she would carry her food for her. The woman said she could manage. Cece picked up the full bag replied “we just want to make things easier for you today.”
That’s what we do at Holy Cross. We make things easier for folks for the moment. We can’t solve the root of their problems and provide what they really need, but we can bring a touch of joy. And we can make things just a little easier, if only for a moment.
Thank you for teaching your old Kaymee this, my precious granddaughter!
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