Friday, November 28, 2008

No leftovers

He showed up late. It was nearly 12:45 and Manna's Thanksgiving dinner had started at 12:00. At first he thought he would just leave, but I talked him into coming in to take some food with him. When we arrived in the kitchen, we learned that all the leftovers had been handed out. There were slices of pie and an uncarved turkey, but everything else was gone. So I walked with him from St. John's Church where we served the meal, to Manna on Main Street, to check out the refrigerators there. I should have known - all the refrigerators were packed. There were bags of donated food all over the floor, down the hall and on the tables. The basement was filled with canned and boxed goods.

As I filled containers with turkey, stuffing, fresh vegetables and a half gallon of milk, he kept thanking me. I told him he was welcome and reminded him that I'm not responsible for the bounty, it's really this community. We shook hands, and then he headed off. I knew he didn't have a family or a home to go to, but at least he was fed for the day. He'll be back again on Saturday, next week, next year...

Monday, November 17, 2008

on the bridge between

The gentleman appeared out of nowhere. He indicated that he had heard of Manna on Main Street and the work we do. He wanted to contribute. Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he indicated the large financial gift he wanted to make. Then another individual came forward. She wanted to give an even larger gift. Now my eyes welled up with joy. We were going to be able to begin making plans for a new building. Our outreach to people in need was going to grow. There were suddenly so many new possibilities of doing good for our community.

Then just as suddenly they were gone. As I shifted to look around, I awoke from the dream and crashed back to reality. In a few hours I would be walking into a very small soup kitchen with limited capabilities.

Between then and now, I find myself on the bridge between the euphoria and sadness. We may not have unlimited funds or a large facility, but we have a lot. This past weekend was the Boy Scout food drive. Tons of food were donated by a generous community and more than fifty volunteers came to sort and stack the food. Every day, people show up to serve meals. And on my desk there is a small stack of checks from our regular supporters - modest amounts, but enough to carry us through.

The quick and easy fix, the lottery, the celebrity endorsement, can be alluring, but are mostly distractions. We remain on the bridge between, and look forward to the possibilities ahead. More good will certainly come our way.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

From...

The Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, was born in A.D. 121. In the book Meditations, he begins with reflections from various individuals in his life. He relates that from his father he learned good morals and the government of his temper. From his mother he learned piety and beneficence. From various mentors and teachers, a benevolent disposition, a love of truth and justice, and an inclination to do good. All things that are relevant and have a place in our society today.

It made me think about what I learn each day from the individuals who frequent Manna on Main Street. From the people who come to the soup kitchen, I learn humility, how to laugh at the absurdities of life, how to cry at the injustice, and how to say thank you. From the volunteers, I learn about a generous heart, compassion for people in need, and a steadfastness in showing up every day. And from the other staff members I learn about commitment to a cause, joy in lifting up others, and living life on purpose.