Body Shop

- A light dusting of snow covered the ice; the car slid across the road and hit a tree

- Distracted by the argument with a loved one, she didn't see the stop sign...

- He normally looks left and right, but was exhausted from the day's work; it was too late before he spotted the small pickup truck

And so the body shop is in business. Nature exerts it's influence, people make mistakes, and someone needs to make the repairs. This is not to discount the need for formal driver training or safety instruction, it is just the reality of the world we live in. Thankfully we have body shops.

It makes me think about the role on Manna. To a large degree, we are like a body shop. Things happen to people, sometimes beyond their control, other times well within their span of influence. No matter. When they hit a patch of ice, have life difficulties or just make poor decisions, we are there to help them.

We too, are all for preparedness, for taking responsibility for our lives, and giving people tools to plan for their future.

Still, there is always a need for a body shop...

Greatful Waiting

The line will stretch 50-60 people long; standing on the frozen ground. It's the Monday before Christmas and that means the distribution of food baskets for the holidays. Every family will receive a ham or turkey along with all the "fixin"s" for a hearty meal. In all, about 150 baskets will be given away.

What is most striking about this event is the patient, grateful waiting that takes place. Folks will stand in line for a long time, but still smile about how cold it is, saying they're thankful it's not snowing. They will clap their hands together to help keep warm, but no one grumbles. They are thankful to live in a caring community, to have a place to come to that will help care for them...

There's Always Santa

Weeks ago we concluded sign-ups for our Christmas adoption program. The parents that come to our food pantry can register their kids to receive gifts, and we pass along those gift requests to caring people to "adopt" the children. We have more then 300 children signed up that need gifts, and a waiting list as well.

One of the parents on the waiting list was particularly desperate. But her young child wasn't worried. She told her mom that Santa doesn't care that they don't have any money. He will still bring them something...

Courage

On Saturday I was helping with the Penn Suburban Chamber 5K run, stationed at about the half-way point of the race. About 10 minutes after the race started, two young men were flying by with no one else in sight. A few minutes later a couple more streamed past, then small groupings of runners, then finally the stragglers.

It was these final participants that brought the word "courage" to mind. They knew from the beginning that they were not going to win - they were just hopeful to finish. But there they were, showing up for the race, giving their all. And so it was for these few that I cheered the loudest, encouraging them on.

Their effort reminded me of the people that come to Manna on Main Street. They too are doing their best. And it takes courage to show up at a soup kitchen; to say to yourself that you know you're not winning. So too for them, we cheer and encourage them along in the race...

Hiding in the Kitchen

Often there are new groups that come in to serve a meal at Manna. Sometimes the group will provide the food, other times, Manna will take care of the meal. It is always interesting to see the dynamics of a new team of volunteers. They are excited to have the opportunity to serve, but there can be a hesitancy in interacting with the guests that come to eat. We encourage our volunteers to not hide in the kitchen, but to talk with the people they serve. While some guests prefer to eat then leave, most of them are more than willing to share their stories or just chat about every day events.

For many of us, we spend too much time hiding in the kitchen. There are risks to putting ourselves out there, in the middle of conversations; voicing opinions, asking important questions. Not only at this time of year, but continually, we are challenged to reach out, to make a difference, to let our voices (and our service) be heard...

Thanksgiving - Thanksreceiving

This past week has been an incredible one of giving and receiving. Looking at turkeys alone, more than 750 birds have been donated so far; equally impressive is the number of turkeys that have been distributed. By the end of Monday, more than 575 will have been given to our clients and to neighboring food pantries. We receive far more than we could possibly use, so we save some for the future and share most of them with like-minded organizations. After all, the donated food does not belong to us; it belongs to the community. We are just thankful to be on both ends of the giving and the receiving...

Need?

When we see clients coming in for a meal or stopping by to pick up food for their family, we know the need is there. Why would someone come to a soup kitchen if they did not have a need. But sometimes we can become distracted where the need is not so apparent.

Yesterday an individual came to the food pantry for her bi-monthly supply of groceries, and she was driving a new, high-end car. For those new to serving people living on the edge, it can be hard to understand why someone would be driving a new car and still need help with food. Often times, people in need look for immediate gratification, what makes them feel good, without taking the long term view. They'll make poor choices; choices like buying things they can't really afford that keep them stuck at the bottom.

Our role isn't so much to criticize them, but to steer them toward making better decisions...