Why Someone on Spring Street needs you Thursday

You probably won’t know their whole story.

And that’s okay.

Maybe it’s the older gentleman sitting quietly in his car on Spring Street.

Maybe it’s the grandmother stretching a Social Security check farther than it was ever meant to stretch.

Maybe it’s a mom who has become frighteningly good at making $20 worth of groceries perform miracles.

They all have different stories.

But on Thursday morning, they may have one thing in common:

They could use a little help.

That’s why our Thursday Morning Mobile Pantry matters.

Every Thursday from 9:00–10:00am, people line up on Spring Street to receive fresh food for their kitchens.

Pineapples.

Celery.

Fresh produce.

And whatever else we have available that morning.*

On the surface, it looks like we're handing out groceries.

But I think something much bigger is happening.

Because that pineapple isn't just a pineapple to someone who needs it.

It says:

There will be food in the kitchen.

I can make something healthy for dinner.

Someone thought about people like me today.

And perhaps most importantly…

I'm not alone.

That's where YOU come in.

We need volunteers who are willing to give a little time on Thursday mornings.

You don't need special skills.

You don't need to write a check.

You don't need to change the whole world.

Just help the person standing in front of you.

Hand someone a box.

Carry some food.

Load a vehicle.

Share a smile.

Say, "Good morning."

And understand that something which feels very small to you may feel enormous to the person receiving it.

That's the funny thing about helping people.

You arrive thinking you're giving something away.

Then you go home realizing you received something too.

You got to make someone's day a little easier.

You got to remind another human being that somebody cares.

And for one Thursday morning, you got to be part of a community where neighbors still look after neighbors.

Especially our seniors.

The third Thursday of every month from 9:00–10:00am is our Senior Food Pantry.

These are people who spent decades working, raising families, helping neighbors, and contributing to their community.

Now some of them could use a neighbor standing beside them.

That's a pretty good reason to get out of bed Thursday morning.

So I'm asking you to do one of three things:

If you need food, come. That's exactly why we're here.

If you're a senior, remember the third Thursday of every month. Come get what you need for your kitchen.

If you've been fortunate enough to have a little time to give, volunteer. Come help us put fresh food into the hands of people who need it.

You may only give us an hour.

But that hour could become someone's dinner.

Someone's relief.

Someone's reminder that their community hasn't forgotten them.

And I can't think of many better ways to spend a Thursday morning than that.

Come help us take care of our neighbors.

Because sometimes changing someone's world doesn't require doing something enormous.

Sometimes…

It looks like handing them a pineapple.

-Randy Salars.

*Pantry schedules and food availability depend on availability. Please call ahead to confirm.