By Sally Petty, Staff Writer
When you couldn’t finish your supper as a child, your parents probably reminded you of “the children starving in China” or some other impoverished country.
But there are people right here in Daviess County who struggle to feed their families, said Pastor Russ Jordan of New Hope Christian Church.
He said some teachers in his congregation have told him about children whose last meal at school on Friday is probably their last meal for the whole weekend.
“Think of the number of families right here that need food. It’s not just global, it’s local as well,” said Jordan.
Obeying Jesus’ words in John 21:17 — “If you love me, feed my sheep” — volunteers with community-wide food pantry Feed My Sheep have been striving since 1989 to help these struggling families. With the rising cost of living, the crashing economy and changes in the state’s food stamp program, more families are in need, and fewer resources are available to help them, said organizer JoAnne DeVries.
Recently, Feed My Sheep volunteers Jim and Eva Martin, members of New Hope Christian Church, shared with their small group Bible study their concerns that Feed My Sheep would not have enough food to get through the holiday season. Churches send most people who come to them looking for food to Connections, which then sends them to Feed My Sheep. So almost all people in Daviess County needing food go to Feed My Sheep.
“The phone just rings all the time at Connections,” said Eva Martin.
The idea next went before New Hope church staff, said Jordan. They began working with several other churches and the local ministerial association to organize Bringing In The Harvest, a community-wide drive to refill the food bank’s coffers.
As part of Bringing In The Harvest, various churches and groups throughout the community are holding food drives.
For example, the Catholic community has increased their efforts to donate supplies, said Catholic community director of development Brenda Sobecki.
“Traditionally, our parishioners have brought food for Feed My Sheep on the first weekend of every month,” she wrote in an e-mail. “We have asked they increase that giving to support Bringing in the Harvest. Habakkuk’s Hands, our community outreach group, will deliver the food to Feed My Sheep.”
Giving to Feed My Sheep is a great way to actively participate in helping people because you go out and choose the can of food that a person in need will eat, said Jordon. It’s a mission work that’s more than just praying and giving money.
“(Jesus) told us whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him. That’s why we’re doing this,” said Jordan.
But the food drive is not just limited to churches.
“On a human level, people need food,” said Jordan. “Whether I believe in God or don’t believe in God, people still need food.”
Anyone in the community who wants to help may take food straight to Feed My Sheep at 601 W. Oak St. between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday or drop it off at one of the two Washington fire stations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Food may also be taken to New Hope church, where Tom Boyd has parked a donated semi trailer to hold food and ship it to Feed My Sheep. The church will take donations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Nov. 9.
Just a few cans per person can make a difference, said Eva Martin.
“We’re not feeding 1,500 people every meal every day. We’re just giving them a few items to supplement” their grocery budget, she said.
“We’re not trying to feed them. We’re trying to help,” added DeVries.
All food collected through Bringing In The Harvest will be weighed and the final weight published.
For more information, call New Hope at 254-3699 or Connections at 687-7888. Connections is available from 7 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.
“God’s in this. He’s definitely in every aspect,” said Eva. “Everywhere we went for help, we got it with open arms. This is a time people are struggling, and they’re afraid.”
