“So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But some one will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” – James 2:17-18
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, it’s always encouraging to hear from people who say ‘thanks’ for the giving.
St. Luke’s most recent food ministry event was last Friday – the Thanksgiving Food Box Giveaway. Hundreds of our fellow Oklahomans in need showed up to our Asbury Campus to pick up free food for the holiday. The cars stretched down the block, and the next block, and the next.
Volunteers with the Mobile Market Truck offer this ministry every week, and there’s always an opportunity for you to get involved as well. But that’s only if you’re willing to be surrounded by smiles, hugs, and an overwhelming feeling of Sharing God’s Love.
Here are just a few examples of the gratitude people expressed. These are Oklahomans who waited in their cars for hours to receive a turkey or ham, and a 25-pound box of shelf-stable food.
– “I’ve been out of work and I have five people in my house to support, so this is really important and I’m very happy you guys are doing this.”
– “It’s a blessing. You never realize how much things like this helps. We’re actually going to have a ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ now.”
– “I don’t think we’d be having Thanksgiving dinner if we didn’t get a turkey today.”
– “It’s a blessing! It’s a blessing! God bless you all.”
– “It helps a ton. It gives the kids something to eat and gives them snacks, too.”
– “It’s helping very much, a whole lot. I really need this.”
– “Thank you! Bless your hearts!”
– “This is going to help 11 people. We’re going to stretch it. We’re going to make it work. God bless you.”
A woman who works at a nearby school came for help in order to give help. “We have several members of our staff who lost food because of the ice storm (in October),” she said. “They don’t make a lot of money and they have children, so this is going to be a Godsend for them.”
One man said his family survived Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, Louisiana, three months ago. “A lot of my family is going to be up here for this holiday, and this is a lifesaver. All I can say is God bless you all.”
“You hear there’s a need, but here you’re looking at it!” said volunteer Marc Mueller. “You’re looking at their eyes. You’re seeing it, up close and personal. It’s our way of giving back. We’ve got to do something. We can’t just sit on the couch. We’ve got to make a difference, and we are. Our goal is being God’s hands in the world, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
“The lines are growing longer, so we have to make that budget stretch,” said Candice Hillenbrand, St. Luke’s Director of Mission Engagement. “Because of our partnership with Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, we’ve been able to provide produce, dairy, and meat. Those are expensive, and every car we can fill with a little bit of relief is a great day.”
Want to be a good neighbor? Get involved by visiting stlukesokc.org and click on the words, “I can help.”
– Ed Doney, Writer/Videographer
