Every week, I have the good fortune of being a part of a tangible representation of Christ’s love- our St. Luke’s Food Ministry program. It has many components: we provide home-delivered meals through Meals on Wheels, and we hand out fresh produce and other food staples to families and individuals through Community Market each week. We also help support a monthly meal to Sisu Youth Services clients, and we bring the Community Market to many in our El Sistema family.
It is a joy to participate with hundreds of volunteers from our family of faith and the community to help carry out these valuable programs. Sometimes the number of people that need these services is staggering – we serve close to 11,000 meals a month through Meals on Wheels, and close to 5,000 people are helped through Community Market and other parts of our food ministry each month. We are a visible representation of God’s love. Sometimes our clients will share concerns in their lives in the brief moment we have with them: illnesses, financial needs, relationship issues, or spiritual needs. At that moment, we represent the care and concern they need, the listening ear and friendship they long for, and the love of Christ. Because they trust us, I believe it is important to deliver more than just food – we also deliver God’s love through our smile, our whispered prayer of intervention, and our kindness.
During Christ’s time on earth, He often met a physical need while also addressing a spiritual need. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and delivered people from danger. This example reminds us that by helping our neighbors in palpable ways, we can represent the love of Christ to them as well.
During the Lenten season, I invite you to join me in any of the many opportunities to be a part of the St. Luke’s Food Ministry. You can show others God’s love in a very real way with a warm meal, a box of groceries, a bright smile, and a kind word.
Lori Hall, Executive Director of Missions
